SEA Games 2023: Sammuel Tranquilan takes fencing silver in another heartbreaker for PH

Sammuel Tranquilan against Singapore’s Samuel Robson’s in the SEA Games 2023 men’s foil final.

PHNOM PENH—Fencer Sammuel Tranquilan couldn’t tear down Samuel Robson’s defensive wall and took the silver medal in men’s foil Saturday at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.

The Singaporean immediately grabbed the opportunity to cash in on the cramps-stricken Tranquilan and went on to secure the gold, 15-3, in another heart-breaker for Team Philippines following Sam Catantan’s knee injury the other day.

Tranquilan looked very promising after defeating Malaysia’s Hans Shen, 15-9, in the semifinals before the Filipino felt a sting in his left arm that delayed the start of their bout.

Catantan, the 2022 women’s foil champion, settled for a silver medal after hurting her left knee in a victorious semifinals against a Singaporean rival.

It was the third silver for the national fencers after Noelito Garcia Jose placed second in the men’s epee individual.

Ivy Claire Dinoy and Jylyn Nicanor contributed bronze medals for the team in the women’s epee and women’s sabre individual.