Kirsten Catantan’s aggressive stance netted her a second individual gold medal in the ongoing Dr. Celso Dayrit Memorial Fencing Championships at the Ayala Malls by the Bay in Macapagal Ave., Pasay City.
The 12-year-old Catantan, the youngest sister of national team standout Samantha, put away University of the East schoolmate Nicol Canlas, 10-8, for the gold in the under-12 girls’ sabre action.
The young Catantan, who reached the finals after turning back Elise Acuzar, 10-8, in the semifinals, picked up the pace after taking a 5-4 lead.
“Lumamang po ako nu’ng umpisa sa pag-atake ko,” said Catantan, who won her second gold medal since recently joining a tournament organized by Canlas Fencing.
Some 403 fencers are taking part in the two-day meet organized by the Philippine Fencing Association, in honor of former Philippine Olympic Committee president Celso Dayrit.
CF bet Inigo Divinagracia ruled the under-12 boys’ foil, after stopping Southridge’s Lucas Palafox, 10-5, while another UE bet, Adrienne Lising prevailed over Republic Fencing’s Victoria Tiu, 15-9, for the cadet women’s sabre honors.
Fencing president Rene Gacuma said the big turnout will have young fencers seeking out points that will help them move up in the national rankings.
UE’s Nina Canlas won over Mayumi Trinidad of Ezkrima, 14-11, for the top honors in the cadet women’s epee, while Aubrey Fernandez downed Hannah Belarmino, 15-12, in the women’s foil action.
Qody Omengan (Republic Fencing) topped the under-12 boys’ sabre when he edged Ateneo’s Jose de la Vega, 10-2, while Louie Shoemaker of UE dominated the cadet men’s foil after a 15-8 toppling of James Lim.