Sophia Catantan of the University of the East/Canlas Fencing poses for posterity with coach Rolando “Amat” Canlas Jr. after winning her fourth gold medal in the 1st Burlington Inter-Club International Fencing Challenge at the Alabang Town Center in Muntinlupa City. (Contributed photo)

MANILA — Sophia Catantan, representing the University of the East and Canlas Fencing, added to her remarkable achievements by clinching her fourth gold medal at the 1st Burlington Inter-Club International Fencing Challenge. This triumph marked her third gold in the individual category, specifically in the under-30 women’s foil event. The thrilling competition took place on Friday, July 27, at the Alabang Town Center in Muntinlupa City.

In the gold medal match, Catantan faced a tough challenge against the top-seeded Nami Noro from the University of the Philippines. The intensity of the contest reached its peak as Catantan emerged victorious with a narrow 15-14 score.

Prior to this remarkable win, Catantan dominated the under-14 and under-17 individual categories during the opening day of the five-day event. Her semifinal match against Marina Carbonell of UP/CF resulted in a 15-11 victory, while Noro advanced by defeating her UP teammate Mariel Flores 15-7 in the other semifinal. Noro secured the silver medal, and both Carbonell and Flores were awarded bronze medals in the tournament supported by Burlington Industries Phil. Inc., Pocari Sweat Phil., Alabang Town Center, and Milo.

Besides her outstanding individual achievements, Catantan showcased her talent as part of the Red Warriors team, leading them to a gold medal in the under-17 women’s foil team division, alongside Aubrey Fernandez, Willa Galvez, and Alyzabeth Gilbert.

The presence and guidance of her elder sister, Samantha Catantan, who is a gold medalist in the 2021 Vietnam Southeast Asian Games and a varsity player for the Penn State University Nitanny Lions in the US NCAA, served as a great inspiration for Sophia. The UAAP Season 85 Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Rookie of the Year in the junior’s division expressed her gratitude for the support and coaching received from her sister and also credited former national team coach and UE mentor Rolando “Amat” Canlas Jr. for helping her develop her skills.

In the under-30 men’s foil competition, national team member Shawn Felipe emerged as the champion after defeating UE’s Brynt Gale 15-9 in the finals. Meanwhile, Prince John Francis Felipe and Keonn Davies of CF/Multiple Intelligence International School secured bronze medals.

South Korea’s Geeta Mahesh Nambiar and Lee Yuseok showcased their skills and dominance by conquering the under-30 saber men’s and women’s divisions, respectively.

In the epee category, Andrea Matias claimed victory in the women’s division with a 15-7 triumph over De La Salle University’s Cyrra Vergara. On the men’s side, Timothy Gonzales of UP emerged as the winner, prevailing over CF’s Lorenzo Malvar with a score of 15-13. Bhea Raguin of UST and Kaya Ednilag of DLSU secured bronze medals in the women’s epee, while Ramil Encelan Jr. and Faber Cabrera earned bronze in the men’s epee division.

The final two days of the event will feature competitions in the boys and girls U8, U10, and U12 categories for all three fencing weapons: foil, epee, and saber.

(ai/mnm)