TWO of the country’s top fencers are set to compete in the 2025 FIE World Cup next month in Paris, France.
Nathaniel Perez and Samuel Tranquillan have confirmed their presence in the men’s individual and team foil events in the world tournament slated from Jan. 10 to 12, 2025.
National coach Rolando “Amat” Canlas said that Perez and Tranquillan are now in the thick of preparations for the three-day meet also known as the Coupe de Monde and organized by the Fédération Internationale d’Escrime (FIE).
The 28-year-old Perez is the country’s no. 1 foil specialist ranked no. 147 in the world, while the 26-year-old Tranquillan is at no. 436.
“They have confirmed their participation in the World Cup, and they’re among the four so far, who will go,” said Canlas.
Perez, who recently placed 16th in the Singapore Satellite World Cup, recently won the gold medal in the Southeast Asian Fencing Federation Senior Championship 2024 at the Tan Sri Hamzah Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Joining Perez and Tranquillan are Antonio Manuel and Dean Myers.
The three-day joust will see world no. 2 Nick Itkin of the United States as the highest-ranked entry.
Perez and Tranquillan are expected to be part of the national squad for the coming 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.
Canlas said the final list of the national team for the SEA Games will be known by June, when those selected will go into a series of training camps.
