Golden choice: Hanniel Abella validates decision to quit job and focus on fencing

Philippines’ Haniel Abella celebrates after a play against Singapore during the Women’s Finals Team Epee Fencing of the 30th South East Asian Games 2019. INQUIRER PHOTO/ Sherwin Vardeleon

A couple of days ago, Hanniel Abella had to make do with a silver medal in the Southeast Asian Games—her second in her career.

She clearly didn’t want that feeling of settling on Saturday, when she dealt the finishing kick in Philippines’ 45-36 come-from-behind victory over Singapore during the team épée final at World Trade Center in Pasay.

“We really wanted to deliver [gold] for the Philippines,” said Abella, who shouldered the task of keeping the crew ahead until the 45th point.
“I was actually anxious the whole time,” she said. “But I realized that my teammates were counting on me.”

Her valiant stand late boosted the efforts of Anna Estimada, Harlene Raguin, and Mickyle Bustos who kept the team within striking distance throughout the affair.

Abella, who placed second in the individual épée last Thursday, said she also badly wanted to prove to herself she was a capable athlete.
“Everything we’ve worked for in the past year and a half has paid off,” she said.

“I quit my job in February to focus on this. I even had to justify to my mother making such a decision,” Abella added.

“She asked, ‘why do you have to give up something important?’”

Abella, that night, scripted quite a response—one that will be talked about for a long time.

And one Abella had no problems putting into words.

“Winning a gold medal for the Philippines,” she said.

“[That’s] much more important.” INQ