UE rookies shine in HK fencing meet

THREE of the nine newbies of University of the East (UE) fencing team showed tremendous potential as Nicol Canlas, Mika Ragot and Willa Galvez all made podium finishes in the recently concluded Allstar Hong Kong U17 Fencing Championships 2023 in Kowloon Bay.

Canlas finished with a four-medal haul as she dominated the under-12 girl’s sabre and earned two silver medals in the under-12 mixed team and in the under-14 girl’s sabre team. A seventh grader at UE, Canlas also bagged the bronze medal in the under-14 girl’s sabre category.

University of the East rookies (from left) Nicol Canlas, Mika Ragot and Willa Galvez CONTRIBUTED PHOTO 

“It’s always a proud moment every time we get a medal. We’re just happy to win medals for our country, for the school and for our respective families,” said Canlas, whose siblings Nina and Matteo are also in fencing.

Ragot, also a Grade 7 student at the Recto-based school and daughter of former UE fencer Alex Ragot, placed second in the under-12 girl’s epee to claim a silver medal in the three-day meet.

Galvez, on the other hand, finished with a triple bronze haul as she tied with Canlas Fencing teammate Yuna Canlas in the under-12 girl’s foil division of the tournament organized by the Hong Kong Fencing School.

With support from Converge, Nickel Asia Corp., San Miguel Corp., NLEX, Pocari Sweat Philippines and Rain or Shine, Galvez also anchored Canlas Fencing Team A with Marian Castro, Hagia del Castillo and Lily Juico to a come-from-behind 45-43 win over Singapore’s Z Fencing in the under-14 girl’s foil team event.

Also a seventh grader, Galvez helped CF Team A with Iñigo Divinagracia, Lucas Palafox and Kyle Dy to another bronze medal finish following a 45-12 victory against Republic Fencing in the under-12 mixed foil team event.

“It’s always a good experience for us fencers — especially us three who are newcomers for the UE high school fencing team — every time we get to compete abroad against other fencers from other countries. We’ll surely bring the learning as we continue to prepare for other events like the UAAP,” said Galvez.

Canlas, Ragot, Galvez and Juliana Jimenez, who also won a medal by placing No. 8 in under-17 girl’s epee, are expected to compete in Season 86 of the UAAP Fencing Championship in February 2024.

The combined CF/UE team went home with a total of 14 gold medals, including nine in the individual category.

Red Warriors veterans Louis Shoemaker and James Lim, both returning high school fencers for UE, also bagged gold medals.

“It’s very encouraging that they were able to show that they are up to the challenge,” said former national team head coach Rolando “Amat” Canlas Jr.

“Hong Kong is always a tough competition, and this year was no different. For the school’s new recruits in fencing, we can see that they all have potential to contribute a lot for the team.”