Finally the event we'd been waiting for, the Pesta Sukan Team event, and the inaugural tournament for the girls. Well, I guess everything could have gone better, but then, we weren't very fortunate, were we? Sighz, we managed to do not so very well, a combination of *beep* Fencing Singapore, and our own lack of experience.

We got there alright, mustered all members ('cept Randall, who was flu-ed). Did all the admin stuff and blah. Then the DT announced the sorting of the comp. "VJC Team A vs. VJC Team B"

Yes. Hooray. They managed to get us to fence AGAINST EACH OTHER!!! Of all the lousy luck! What could we do? Pull out together? Or just fence for the fun of it? I mean, theres no pleasure in eliminating your own is there? CJC and RJC died fighting against other opponents and they left VJ to commit hara-kiri. Well, thanks, that was nice of them, I don't think.

So the teams were as followed:

Daniel, 05S46, Under-17 Bronze Medallist
Elgin, 05S28
Liang Sheng 05S23
Randall 05S22

against

Jonathan 05S15
Maurice 05S14
Aaron 05S23
Mark Ortega 05S16

We just decided to give no quarter and may the best team win. I took some pics again using my camera phone. For obvious reasons, none of them contain me.


Maurice training with Coach Jeff a few weeks before the comp, practising hand hits.

The match opened up with me against Daniel. Predictably, with my leg giving severe pain, ans, we later found out, my blade was not working. So the score was 4-1 in his favour.Man, I scored at least 2 close quarters which did not register! Maurice saved our necks, grabbing the lead from Elgin in the next round to make it 10-6 or something. Aaron against Liang Sheng saw Liang Sheng, with already one comp under his belt, close the lead till the score was 13-13, from Aaron, who had been out of the U-17 with an operation for his appendix.


Maurice and I decided since we were killing ourselves, we should just unleash our reserve. Mark Ortega acquitted himself well, dropping only 1 point to Elgin, when he went up against him. Well done Mark! =) Seen here conducting a fleche


And here on guard against Elgin (who is the one further away).


Maurice took advantage of superior tactical skill to open a lead on Liang Sheng, which I subsequently widened. Here, Maurice on the left, half-lunges at Liang Sheng.


It all came down to Daniel (on the right) against Maurice (on the left). Both of them have fantastic footwork and bladework... just look at their posture. I think Daniel was rattled though, cos he dropped 8 points while Maurice dropped 5. We won 45-37.

But of course, how happy can you be beating your own teammates. It was really a heartbreaking match, seeing that your already slim chances are now cut in half.

The next bout was no better.

Guess what?

We ran against the Singapore National Team. Zhi Hua, whom we had seen from FM, as well as Nicholas Fang, the MC at the International Olympics Committee who culd speak French. Can you believe it. We fenced against famous people that day. Or at least, we attempted to.

I'd hate to say this, but we didn't stand a chance. In 2 minutes Nick Fang had killed me 5-0. His lunge was so long, he was so fast, and his beats could knock my blade flying. An attempted fleche came to naught and I've never seen one go from defence to close quarter so fast in my life. His flicks and disengages danced around my ineffectual parries. I think the most damage I did was a few scratches on his guard.


In the second bout, Maurice (on the right), faced off with Zhi Hua. Maurice picked up two points to make the score 10-2 (guess in whos favour). Aaron's bout saw the score become 15-2. Then it was 20-3 after my second round. 25-3 as Aaron went against their reserve. 30-4 as Maurice picked up another point. 35-4 as Mark Ortega was substituted in. 40-4 as my last bout completed. Nick Fang held back in the last round, giving Maurice 3 points. They picked us off so easily. None of the bouts lasted more than 2 minutes. Note in the picture the score says "05". Our score, blocked by Maurice, says "00"


The Final Score. 45-7. We scored just 7 points against possibly the 4 best epeeists in Singapore. Oh my goodness. From left, Liang Sheng, Elgin, Randall, the scoreboard, Aaron, me (squatting), Maurice and Mark. Daniel had left with a friend. So ended our guys' venture into Pesta Sukan. It gave me no pain to lose to the national team, as it gave me no pleasure to beat my own members.

A few other interesting sights:


A sabre fencer with a blue electric jacket. I thought it was quite interesting and so took a pic.


Nick Fang and Wei Wen, both national fencers, competing.


Just look at Nick Fang's lunge! It is so darn long none of us could have moved back enough to escape the hit! At least here Wei Wen managed to score a stop hit. For the record, Nick Fang's team won the Gold. Yes, at least we can say we lost to the gold medallist.

Today was the Ladies' Event. Victoria, Eileen and Charlene acquitted themselves well, going down 45-41 in their first tournament to a RJC team, who had really tall members. Well, everyone will get better through experience though... Well done to them too! You all did well!


Here, Charlene (On the right) faces an RJ fencer as she shortened the lead and took it, abeit for a short while.

So ended Pesta Sukan. Well done everyone! We did well, for a comp of this level!

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