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Christine Morales and Lucas Palafox came through with contrasting wins to capture the gold medal in their respective events on day four of the 1st Burlington Inter-Club International Fencing Challenge on Saturday, July 29 at the Alabang Town Center in Muntinlupa City.
Morales, 10, won her first gold medal in the under-12 women's individual foil category as she scored a dramatic come-from-behind 10-9 decision against fellow Canlas Fencing athlete Hagia del Castillo in the penultimate day of the meet backed by Burlington Industries Phil. Inc., Pocari Sweat Phil., Alabang Town Center and Milo.
The incoming Grade 5 student of Fr. Luigi Caburlotto School in Cavite charged back from a 5-point deficit of 8-3 in the finals. She also delivered a comeback 10-8 victory over another CF teammate and All-Women's Tournament event gold medal winner Yuna Canlas in the quarterfinals.
University of the East/CF fencer Willa Galvez, who dropped a heartbreaking 10-9 loss to del Castillo in the semifinals, and Chloe Corpuz of University of Santo Tomas, who lost 10-2 to Morales in the other semifinal pairing, settled with the bronze medals.
“I'm very happy of course. I was crying already when it was 8-3. But I didn't give up and I just gave it all, fought back and in the end my efforts and determination during the bout were rewarded with a gold medal,” said Morales, who dedicated her victory to her mother Glowy as she celebrated her birthday last Friday.
As for Palafox, who will turn 12 this October, he also earned his first gold medal in under-12 men's individual foil category following a 4-3 win against Octaveus Leeroi Chan of Republic Fencing. CF fencers Matteo Canlas and Inigo Divinagracia joined Palafox on the podium as the two got bronze medals.
South Korea's Shawn Zeung and Jeon Yuju ruled the under-12 saber of men's and women's divisions. Drake Chung of RF got silver medal, with Eyce Olarte of UST and Kaleb Lim of Forge Fencing settling with the bronze medals in men's, while Korea's Zou Yuyan UU took silver medal, Bailey Olayres of Espada and Nicol Canlas of UE/CF pocketed bronze medals in women's division.
In epee under-12, the top four finishers in men's were Nathaniel Bernal of UST, Southridge/CF Gael Villaluna, Ylian Candelaria and Jade Ongpeng, while in women's were Nicole Ragot of RF, Clyne Beltran and Chloe Raguin of CF, and Almira Tolentino of Waldorf.
In saber under-10, Aiden Umali of Ezkrima, Elijah Galvez of Xavier/CF, MJ de Guzman of CDK and Benjamin Morales of Oblation Fencing were the podium finishers in men's category, while in women's were Aly Villarin and Winslowel of CF, Ariana Licaros of Paref Woodrose and Sabrine Lao of Tiger Fencing.
Yuri Canlas of CF won the under-8 women's individual foil with a 6-1 triumph against Andrea Gatmaytan of Oblation Fencing, while Morganne Uy Lapitan and Trinity Lapitan got the bronze, and Euro Belarmino of Calle de Armas won the under-8 men's by beating Leevi Chan of RF, while Emil Camama of RF and Roman Almiranez of CF got the bronze.
The final day of action will feature team competitions in boys and girls U8, U10 and U12 in all three weapons of fencing – foil, epee and saber.
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Credit belongs to : www.manilatimes.net
