SEA Games: PH fencers add 1 gold, 2 silvers, 1 bronze to medal haul

Members of the Philippine fencing team display their respective medals from the 29th Southeast Asian Games. (L to R) Brennan Wayne Louie (gold), Nathaniel Perez (silver) in mens individual foil; Hanniel Abella (silver) and Harlene Raguin (bronze) in women’s individual epee. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/SEA GAMES POOL

Fil-American Louie Wayne Brennan took the men’s individual foil gold medal over compatriot Nathaniel Perez in a dominant show for the Philippines Tuesday in the Southeast Asian Games fencing.

Finally getting his slot in the individual category after playing in team events on his freshman year with the national team, Brennan bested Perez, 15-14, in the final.

It was an all-Filipino final as Brennan ousted Thai Sopanut Mayakarn in the semifinal, while Perez dispatched Jet Ng Shang Fei of Singapore.

Brennan, who owns a fencing club back in Los Angeles, replaced former champion Emerson Sugui in the PH team.

The Philippine women’s epee team also had an impressive showing, turning in a silver and a bronze.

Hanniel Abella bested teammae Harlene Raguin in the semis. But she lost in the final against Nguyen Thi Nhu Hoa of Vietnam.

Raguin took the bronze.