Fencing Malaysia Open 2007 @ KL
It is been awhile I've updated at my blog. Just got back from KL this morning and was down with a flu and sore throat. Malaysia Open was the first overseas competition and also the first time for me winning a medal (team event, and yes, I did contribute in the winning). Alright let me recap what happen on those 5 days in KL.
Day 1 - 23/03/07 (Trip to KL!)
Met up with the rest of the fencers at Golden Mile Complex @ 1515, where there will be a coach to bring us to KL. I was totally quite bored and very quiet the whole time, because although I know them by their names but didn't know them quite well personally, except for David, Daniel, Farah. Oh well, what to do, the FS planned that Hugang will take the morning bus as he had an event the next day. Where else the rest will take the afternoon bus. Thankfully I got my PSP and mp3 to entertain me throughout the trip. About 2200hr plus, we've reach to hotel at KL.
The hotel, Hotel Grand Olympic, is located near Chinatown; it is 10 mins walk to there and about 20 mins walk to Time Square and also 3 mins walk to the fencing area. Good right? NO! The hotel is very BAD! Claim to be 3 stars hotel, it is actually a 2 stars hotel, the corridor door is so narrow. Meanwhile the bathroom; the shower and the toilet bowl is so close that david said "You can shit and bath at the same time" The room is hot despite the air con was set to very low temperate. Both the bed and pillow were very soft (thanks to that, my back were aching next day).
Anyway, after check in, went out have late dinner with the nat team @ Chinatown. As waiting for the food to arrive, all the sudden, an old black man (sorry can't tell what race he is) all the sudden tap me from behind and start to talking alot of crap to me, I was kinda of shock and start to stare at the nat guys, everyone too where like shock. Thankfully the guy left, the gals quickly asked me what did he say. I told them that that guy was drunken and I was totally don't understand what he was talking about. After awhile, a begger came to David Chan side and beg for money, almost of the guys told him not to as more will come to beg for more. Thus Chan ignore him. After a short culture shock, we have a quick supper and buy some stuff from a 24hrs store and head back to hotel to sleep.
Day 2 (Men's foil, Women's epee & Women's sabre)
Woke up about 8 plus, was shocked that Anthony (oh ya, my roommates are Hugang, Anthony and me) was still sleeping as his event start at 0830. But came to realise his event only start at 0930 when I inform him that he is going to be late. Thus leave him alone and went for my breakfast with David Chen and his gang. Breakfast nice. But the rest of the day was kinda of boring, and not to mention, the preside in one of the sabre pool were like.. goodness I can preside better than him! A person first to declare attack can become counterattack while the opponent who came late to declare attack, has her attack valid! Noelle was also in that pool too, she was very unhappy with the presiding. But somehow, her charm manage to charm the president, thus she won 4 out of 5 bouts.
Surprisingly Nelicia was over her usual perform, she beat one of the Thai top fencer and while many bouts too, Jia and Beng, if you are reading this, she is alot better than you gals, David will agree too. End of the day, Noelle got the 1st place, while Nelicia got 2nd place. Hugang got knock out on 1st DE round despite help and advice by PRCS/Nat foil coach and Anthony.
There was also a slight change in my plan at KL, suppose to return back to Singapore on Monday morning, was push back to Tuesday night. As David Chen told me that, they need a reserve for men's team sabre. Thankfully, my NS side agree to help me to extend my leave and Luan Luan also change the time of my departure. At last, I can fence both individual and team event!
Lunch time was totally SUCKS! I regret taking the rice as it totally dried. But was happy that manage to get out of competition area and "short" shopping with Josephine Yeo, Minqi and Joyee. The girls actually wanted to go 7-11 to buy some stuff, but Luan Luan insists that a guy must accompany them just in case. Thus I was happen to be at the scene, so didn't mind go with them.
The day ended with dinner at Outback somewhere near to Time Square with fencers, except for David Chen which not sure where he gone to and with who. And took cab back to the hotel early to rest.
Day 3 (Men's sabre, Women's foil, Men's epee)
I don't know why, but I woke up very early in the morning about 7 plus am. AND my event starts at 12pm! Thus I was rotting all the way to 11am and start to warm up. My pool consists of Joshua from ACJC, one Thai guy whom I've fenced before in last year FSI, one Chinese Malaysia and one Malay Malaysia. Suppose to have Iran team too, but last minute there wasn't any Iran team reporting for fencing, thus all were walk over. I've 3 won (included the walk over) and 2 lost, ya I lost to the Thai, it was 4-4!!! and I screwed up the last point arggh!!! I totally got thrash by the Chinese Malaysia because I totally got very confuse by his weird fencing style. But the best was the Malay Malaysia, Mark advise me to use counter attack on him, because he tend to attack. Yes, Mark advice worked, but somehow, when I hit his mask, I felt the vibrate on my sabre that indicate that I hit him, but the light didn't lit up at all, I was quite puzzel and quickly stop the game and test his mask again.
After he change the body wire, I decided to use my 2nd plan duck while parry on the head failed (because I notice his attack was very high and aim on the head). Ended up I used counter attack move on him, twice I retreat back and threat him by pointed my blade, he was very caution when he start to advance forward towards me, but he failed to notice that I'm was slashing him for counter attack. Another two were by luck; first he hit my leg while I lunge onto him; second he miss the attack, thus his blade was in the mid air, meanwhile I aim at his head, both were on light. The last point I can't rememder what happen, but eventually the score was 5-4 (I won). After end of the pool, Noelle walk over me and told me that I've beaten the top Malaysia fencer or former top fencer, I was like, no la, I think it is just luck. Got a by in top 64, and the first DE top 32 was fencing against Mat Lopez, I think he is the son of Jeff Lopez, boy he was quick and accurate; once I finished and missed my attack, he quickly finish with his counter attack move by slashing on my weapon hand. But I manage to gain control of the game by using coach method of slashing. Thus won him 15-8. Was expected to Bairong in 2nd DE; top 16. But was told that Bairong lost to a Malaysia fencer name Yu Peng Kean. I too met him and lost to him. Best part, David Chan met Yu Peng Kean in top 8 too, and was also been thrashed by him. And in semi, David Chen also met Yu Peng Kean and of course, David Chen also got thrash!!! Yu Peng Kean met four Singaporeans in the all 3 DE rounds and up seeded one by one. Meanwhile Mark met Walbert Mendoza, a Philippines fencer who was a SEA games champ in 2005, failed to get into final. Thus the final was Yu Peng Kean against Walbert Mendoza, knowing that Walbert is still one of the best (with his very good judgment of distance and lightening speed attack) and can win in the final. But the reason that, Yu Peng Kean won, most of the nat team believe that it was a fixed match, becaue Walbert was totally refraining his attack and that wasn't his style of fencing.
But anyway the day ended with dinner and shopping (round 2) at Chinatown with Hugang. He wanted to eat Hokkien Mee and decided to hunt for it.
I will have more updates soon I need to pack my room.. hahaa
Day 1 - 23/03/07 (Trip to KL!)
Met up with the rest of the fencers at Golden Mile Complex @ 1515, where there will be a coach to bring us to KL. I was totally quite bored and very quiet the whole time, because although I know them by their names but didn't know them quite well personally, except for David, Daniel, Farah. Oh well, what to do, the FS planned that Hugang will take the morning bus as he had an event the next day. Where else the rest will take the afternoon bus. Thankfully I got my PSP and mp3 to entertain me throughout the trip. About 2200hr plus, we've reach to hotel at KL.
The hotel, Hotel Grand Olympic, is located near Chinatown; it is 10 mins walk to there and about 20 mins walk to Time Square and also 3 mins walk to the fencing area. Good right? NO! The hotel is very BAD! Claim to be 3 stars hotel, it is actually a 2 stars hotel, the corridor door is so narrow. Meanwhile the bathroom; the shower and the toilet bowl is so close that david said "You can shit and bath at the same time" The room is hot despite the air con was set to very low temperate. Both the bed and pillow were very soft (thanks to that, my back were aching next day).
Anyway, after check in, went out have late dinner with the nat team @ Chinatown. As waiting for the food to arrive, all the sudden, an old black man (sorry can't tell what race he is) all the sudden tap me from behind and start to talking alot of crap to me, I was kinda of shock and start to stare at the nat guys, everyone too where like shock. Thankfully the guy left, the gals quickly asked me what did he say. I told them that that guy was drunken and I was totally don't understand what he was talking about. After awhile, a begger came to David Chan side and beg for money, almost of the guys told him not to as more will come to beg for more. Thus Chan ignore him. After a short culture shock, we have a quick supper and buy some stuff from a 24hrs store and head back to hotel to sleep.
Day 2 (Men's foil, Women's epee & Women's sabre)
Woke up about 8 plus, was shocked that Anthony (oh ya, my roommates are Hugang, Anthony and me) was still sleeping as his event start at 0830. But came to realise his event only start at 0930 when I inform him that he is going to be late. Thus leave him alone and went for my breakfast with David Chen and his gang. Breakfast nice. But the rest of the day was kinda of boring, and not to mention, the preside in one of the sabre pool were like.. goodness I can preside better than him! A person first to declare attack can become counterattack while the opponent who came late to declare attack, has her attack valid! Noelle was also in that pool too, she was very unhappy with the presiding. But somehow, her charm manage to charm the president, thus she won 4 out of 5 bouts.
Surprisingly Nelicia was over her usual perform, she beat one of the Thai top fencer and while many bouts too, Jia and Beng, if you are reading this, she is alot better than you gals, David will agree too. End of the day, Noelle got the 1st place, while Nelicia got 2nd place. Hugang got knock out on 1st DE round despite help and advice by PRCS/Nat foil coach and Anthony.
There was also a slight change in my plan at KL, suppose to return back to Singapore on Monday morning, was push back to Tuesday night. As David Chen told me that, they need a reserve for men's team sabre. Thankfully, my NS side agree to help me to extend my leave and Luan Luan also change the time of my departure. At last, I can fence both individual and team event!
Lunch time was totally SUCKS! I regret taking the rice as it totally dried. But was happy that manage to get out of competition area and "short" shopping with Josephine Yeo, Minqi and Joyee. The girls actually wanted to go 7-11 to buy some stuff, but Luan Luan insists that a guy must accompany them just in case. Thus I was happen to be at the scene, so didn't mind go with them.
The day ended with dinner at Outback somewhere near to Time Square with fencers, except for David Chen which not sure where he gone to and with who. And took cab back to the hotel early to rest.
Day 3 (Men's sabre, Women's foil, Men's epee)
I don't know why, but I woke up very early in the morning about 7 plus am. AND my event starts at 12pm! Thus I was rotting all the way to 11am and start to warm up. My pool consists of Joshua from ACJC, one Thai guy whom I've fenced before in last year FSI, one Chinese Malaysia and one Malay Malaysia. Suppose to have Iran team too, but last minute there wasn't any Iran team reporting for fencing, thus all were walk over. I've 3 won (included the walk over) and 2 lost, ya I lost to the Thai, it was 4-4!!! and I screwed up the last point arggh!!! I totally got thrash by the Chinese Malaysia because I totally got very confuse by his weird fencing style. But the best was the Malay Malaysia, Mark advise me to use counter attack on him, because he tend to attack. Yes, Mark advice worked, but somehow, when I hit his mask, I felt the vibrate on my sabre that indicate that I hit him, but the light didn't lit up at all, I was quite puzzel and quickly stop the game and test his mask again.
After he change the body wire, I decided to use my 2nd plan duck while parry on the head failed (because I notice his attack was very high and aim on the head). Ended up I used counter attack move on him, twice I retreat back and threat him by pointed my blade, he was very caution when he start to advance forward towards me, but he failed to notice that I'm was slashing him for counter attack. Another two were by luck; first he hit my leg while I lunge onto him; second he miss the attack, thus his blade was in the mid air, meanwhile I aim at his head, both were on light. The last point I can't rememder what happen, but eventually the score was 5-4 (I won). After end of the pool, Noelle walk over me and told me that I've beaten the top Malaysia fencer or former top fencer, I was like, no la, I think it is just luck. Got a by in top 64, and the first DE top 32 was fencing against Mat Lopez, I think he is the son of Jeff Lopez, boy he was quick and accurate; once I finished and missed my attack, he quickly finish with his counter attack move by slashing on my weapon hand. But I manage to gain control of the game by using coach method of slashing. Thus won him 15-8. Was expected to Bairong in 2nd DE; top 16. But was told that Bairong lost to a Malaysia fencer name Yu Peng Kean. I too met him and lost to him. Best part, David Chan met Yu Peng Kean in top 8 too, and was also been thrashed by him. And in semi, David Chen also met Yu Peng Kean and of course, David Chen also got thrash!!! Yu Peng Kean met four Singaporeans in the all 3 DE rounds and up seeded one by one. Meanwhile Mark met Walbert Mendoza, a Philippines fencer who was a SEA games champ in 2005, failed to get into final. Thus the final was Yu Peng Kean against Walbert Mendoza, knowing that Walbert is still one of the best (with his very good judgment of distance and lightening speed attack) and can win in the final. But the reason that, Yu Peng Kean won, most of the nat team believe that it was a fixed match, becaue Walbert was totally refraining his attack and that wasn't his style of fencing.
But anyway the day ended with dinner and shopping (round 2) at Chinatown with Hugang. He wanted to eat Hokkien Mee and decided to hunt for it.
I will have more updates soon I need to pack my room.. hahaa
posted by Mr. Freezer at 3/28/2007 03:09:00 PM
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