The third time’s the charm for Noelito Jose Jr. as he and national teammate Wilhelmina Lozada claimed their first gold medals in their respective events in the ongoing Southeast Asian Fencing Federation Championships in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday evening.
The eight-seeded Jose eased out top-seeded Vietnamese bet Nguyen Phuoc Den, 15-10, to bag the senior men’s epee gold on his third attempt.
Lozada, who is duelling on a different weapon, downed another Vietnamese, Nguyen Thu Thu Phuong, 15-6, for her first gold medal in the senior women’s foil.
The 25-year-old Jose edged Vietnam’s Dang Tuan Anh, 15-7, to reach the semifinals.
“Sobrang saya. Masyadong unexpected. Nakadalawang silver na ako dito. Sa pangatlong beses ko nakuha ang ginto,” said Jose, the silver medallist in the 2022 Southeast Asian Games in an interview on Sports Radio.
Jose fell to Cambodia’s Savoun Saknuk, 15-2, in the round of 32 before he outplayed compatriot Lee Eigran Ergina, 15-7, in the round of 16, according to results posted on the event’s official website.
After that, Jose stopped Indonesia’s Anggi Williansyah, 15-10, in the quarterfinals.
Lozada, who is trying her hand in the women’s foil after getting a bronze for the Philippines in the team epee last May in the SEA Games, dropped Malaysia’s Surayya Rizzal, 15-5, to advance to the final round.
“Kinabahan ako, dahil after Christmas at New Year ang laban namin. Bakasyon. Hindi ko inaasahan maka-finals. Naniwala lang po ako at nag-dasal. Nakalaban ko na kasi siya before,” said Lozada.
She repulsed teammate Janna Allysah Catantan in a close 15-12 triumph to get to the semis.
Kaikaku Dela Serna settled 24th in the women’s saber, with her 2-4 win-loss record in the pool matches.
Dominic Agatep made it to the main draw of the men’s sabre with Enrico Suplico, Raphael Jimenez, Thomas Cabrera and Kurt Marquez.
In the men’s foil, University of the East bet Samuel Tranquillan reached the main draw with his 4-1 slate in the pool, along with Reindelle Lacerna, Nathaniel Perez and Joseph Amores.
