Galvez, Canlas claim golds in Thailand fencing meet

University of the East high school fencers nabbed three golds for the Philippines in the Thailand Fencing Festival Minime and Veterans Championships 2024 held over the weekend at Diamond Hall in Zeer Rangsit, Thailand.

Willa Galvez, who represented Canlas Fencing, captured two gold medals after dominating top seed Hei Shun Keung of Hong Kong, 15-8, in the finals of the Under-14 girl’s foil last Saturday, July 20.

It was Galvez’s second gold medal in the same category in an international meet just seven months after her breakthrough victory in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The incoming Grade 8 student also added gold on Sunday, July 21, the Under-14 girl’s epee with a nail-biting 15-13 win against Pawichaya Thongngaram of Thailand in the finals – her first epee gold on foreign soil after settling with a silver in Kuala Lumpur last year.

On the other hand, Yuan Canlas bagged the gold medal in Under-12 girl’s epee on the final day of competition Monday, July 22, after beating Lena Xia of Singapore 10-5 in the finals.

Canlas also earned two bronze medals (U-14 and U-12 foil) in the three-day tournament.

The competition followed a tough training camp where Galvez and other Filipino fencers participated last week in Taiwan – a big help she said as it boosted her confidence after a weeklong process with some of the world-class fencers like former Olympian Ziemek Wojciechowski of Great Britain.

“I am happy to win. It was perfect timing that after the Taiwan training camp we joined a tournament in Thailand. It gave me confidence and at the same time I was able to apply the lessons. I am grateful and thankful to all the UE and CF coaches led by coach Amat Canlans,” Galvez told Manila Bulletin in an interview.

University of the East high school fencers nabbed three golds for the Philippines in the Thailand Fencing Festival Minime and Veterans Championships 2024 held over the weekend at Diamond Hall in Zeer Rangsit, Thailand.
PHOTO COURTESY: MANILA STANDARD
Karen Ann Mantukay

Newsletter

Do you want to keep up to date with all the sports news?

Questionnaire

What kind of sport do you like the most?