Harrison captures fencing gold in Malaysia

FILIPINO-AUSTRALIAN Ashley-Mae Harrison captured her first senior’s title as she ruled the Malaysian Open Fencing Championships 2023 Women’s Epee event recently in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

CHAMP Filipino-Australian Ashley-Mae Harrison stands on the podium as she recently captured the Malaysian Open Fencing Championships 2023 Women’s Epee title in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO 

Ranked as the fourth out of 39 fencers after the pooling stage, the 15-year-old Harrison defeated Shoong Tak Sum of Fencers Club Hong Kong 15-13 in the gold medal match.

It was memorable for Harrison winning her first Open gold medal, which she hoped would boost her confidence as she tries to make it to the women’s team of Philippine fencing.

Harrison, a fencer of Singapore Academy of Fencing, is currently ranked No. 1 in the under-20 junior’s category in the Philippines women’s epee.

“To be able to have the opportunity to compete in this National Open competition, let alone win the event, has really shown and taught me how far we have come and developed,” said Harrison.

“To my coaches, family and teammates, the feeling is surreal, and I’m glad to be sharing it with you.”

In a tournament participated by 10 different countries, Harrison ousted hometown bet Nur Ameera Abdul Azeem 15-7 in the round-of-32.

She then scored a nail-biting 15-11 victory over Mongolia’s Enkhbadral Chalkhaasuren in the round-of-16, thwarted Kim Ngan Nguyen of Vietnam 15-9 in the quarterfinals, and dominated Jing Xuan Yap of Malaysia 15-7 in the semifinals.