The Games will test Singapore’s progress on the continental stage and serve as a benchmark ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics.
SINGAPORE: Singapore’s fencing team is aiming to make history at the upcoming Asian Games by doubling its previous best medal tally, targeting at least two podium finishes.
This ambitious goal follows the team’s earlier successes, including one bronze medal each at the 2014 and 2018 Asian Games.
Rising Star Elle Koh
Among the 16 fencers representing Singapore is 16-year-old Elle Koh, a standout performer at the SEA Games. Koh clinched double golds in both the individual and team epee events at the 2022 SEA Games in Hanoi and repeated the feat this year in Phnom Penh.
Now making her Asian Games debut in Hangzhou, Koh is brimming with confidence.
“Winning four golds at the SEA Games has boosted my belief in myself. I just have to train hard, give my best, and trust the results will follow,” she told CNA.
Her goal is to reach the top eight in the pool stages and bring home a medal despite stiff competition from world-class athletes, such as Hong Kong’s Vivian Kong, ranked second globally in women’s epee.
Koh will also compete alongside Olympian Kiria Tikanah in the team event, with the quartet aiming for a podium finish.
Newcomers Stepping Up
SEA Games gold medalist Samuel Elijah Robson will also debut at the Asian Games. Robson, who competes in the men’s team foil event, is optimistic despite acknowledging the challenges.
“We’ve shown in last year’s Asian Fencing Championships that we can compete against the best. A bronze medal is within reach,” he said.
Robson highlighted the team’s recent non-fencing training camp, which focused on bonding activities to strengthen team dynamics. “It helped us understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses and how best to support one another during competition,” he explained.
A Critical Benchmark
The Asian Games is a key test for Singapore’s fencing ambitions, particularly for those aiming to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics. Marko Milic, technical director of Fencing Singapore, noted that the format of the Games closely mirrors that of the Olympics.
“This competition will show where our athletes stand and how they perform under similar high-pressure conditions,” Milic said.
For Koh, the Games are not just about medals but also about self-improvement. “I hope to identify areas where I can grow, both technically and mentally, so I can come back stronger in the future,” she shared.
