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Fencer Noelito Jose Jr. of the Philippine National Fencing Team spars with Coach Park Sung Sun during his last training in the Philippines before the Asia-Oceania Zonal Qualifying Tournament. Camille Zarate, ABS-CBN News intern

Fencer Noelito Jose Jr. of the Philippine National Fencing Team spars with Coach Park Sung Sun during his last training in the Philippines before the Asia-Oceania Zonal Qualifying Tournament.

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Noelito Jose Jr.

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1713975906874Noelito Jose sparring.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Fencer Noelito Jose Jr. of the Philippine National Fencing Team spars with Coach Park Sung Sun during his last training in the Philippines before the Asia-Oceania Zonal Qualifying Tournament. Camille Zarate, ABS-CBN News intern"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Fencer Noelito Jose Jr. of the Philippine National Fencing Team spars with Coach Park Sung Sun during his last training in the Philippines before the Asia-Oceania Zonal Qualifying Tournament. <em>Camille Zarate, ABS-CBN News intern</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA -- The Philippine National Fencing Team will try to end their Olympic drought when four fencers compete at the Asia-Oceania Zonal Qualifying Tournament in Dubai from April 27-28.</p><p>Veteran fencers Noelito Jose Jr. (Men&#x27;s Epee), Hanniel Abella (Women&#x27;s Epee), Nathaniel Perez (Men&#x27;s Foil) and Samantha Catantan (Women&#x27;s Foil) are in the final stages of their preparations as they try to catch the last bus to the 2024 Paris Olympics.</p><p>Ronald Canlas, the program adviser of the Philippine Fencing Association and coach of the national team, said he is confident with the capabilities and experiences of the four fencers as they seek to clinch a qualifying slot after 32 years.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/4/24/fencing-star-sam-catantan-targets-olympic-berth-in-uae-qualifier-1620">READ: Fencing star Sam Catantan targets Olympic berth in UAE qualifier</a></div><p>&quot;Mga beterano na ito. Pangalawang Olympic qualifying na nila ito. Ako ang nararamdaman ko talaga is yung, makakasungkit tayo dito eh. At ang laban talaga dito is 50-50. So ang talagang hinihingi namin yung dasal ng fencing community at ng buong Pilipinas,&quot; Canlas said in an interview with ABS-CBN News.</p><p>(They are already veterans. This is actually their second Olympic qualifier, and I can really feel that we can win here with a 50/50 chance. That&#x27;s why we are really asking for support and prayers from the fencing community and also from all Filipinos.)</p><p>This tournament is the last Asian Olympic Qualifying Tournament for the team to secure a spot in the summer games. </p><p>The last time the Philippine Fencing Team competed in the Summer Games was during the 1992 Barcelona Olympics when Walter Torres represented the country. </p><p>Jose Jr. and Abella faced off Tuesday at their last training in the Philippines with former national team coach Park Sang Sun before flying to Dubai. Perez trained with Coach Canlas. </p><p>&quot;Monday to Friday ang training namin, gabi-gabi, from 7 pm to 10 pm, tapos nag-strength conditioning ako, 2-3 times a week every morning or sometimes afternoon (so twice a day), and sometimes every gabi lang naman,&quot; Jose Jr. said.</p><p>(We have training Monday to Friday, every night, from 6 pm to 10 pm. Then I do strength conditioning 3 or 2 times a week, in the morning or sometimes afternoon, sometimes at night.)</p><p>Aside from the daily training, the fencers also participated in different training camps and international matches. </p><p>&quot;Since last year nakita ko na ang preparation ng mga batang ito. Sumasali talaga sila sa mga world competition, sa mga Grand Prix, World Cup. Hindi man sila umabot sa ranking na &#x27;yon pero malaki ang na-gain nila na exposure na &#x27;yan, sa preparation,&quot; Canlas added.</p><p>(I&#x27;ve seen how these young ones prepared over the past year. They joined world competitions–Grand Prix, World Cup. They may not have reached the ranking, but they gained a lot of exposure in them for their preparation.)</p><p>Jose Jr. and Abella trained in Korea for one month, while Perez also trained in the US to prepare for the qualifiers. </p><p>Catantan, on the other hand, continues her preparation in New York as a student-athlete at Penn State University.</p><p>Jose Jr, Abella and Perez left for Dubai on Wednesday, while Catantan will travel from the US to Dubai. </p><p>Coach Canlas will also follow them on Friday, April 26.</p><p>So far, 11 Filipino athletes have officially qualified for the Paris Games: boxers Eumir Marcial, Aira Villegas, and Nesthy Petecio; gymnasts Carlos Yulo, Aleah Finnegan, and Levi Ruivivar; rower Joanie Delgaco; weightlifters John Ceniza, Elreen Ando, and Vanessa Sarno; and star pole vaulter EJ Obiena.</p><p>Maxine Esteban, a former member of the national fencing team, will see action in the Olympics where she will represent the Ivory Coast after switching federations in 2022.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/4/4/maxine-esteban-s-change-of-nationality-affected-ph-fencing-team-says-pfa-139">READ: Maxine Esteban’s change of nationality affected PH fencing team, says PFA</a></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TfDtBkJdogo?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1F1AvKA6srU?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><div><br/></div>

<p>The Philippine National Fencing Team will try to end their Olympic drought when four fencers compete at the Asia-Oceania Zonal Qualifying Tournament in Dubai from April 27-28.</p>

The Philippine National Fencing Team will try to end their Olympic drought when four fencers compete at the Asia-Oceania Zonal Qualifying Tournament in Dubai from April 27-28.

Coach believes Filipino fencers can break 32-year Olympic drought

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Coach believes Filipino fencers can break 32-year Olympic drought

ABS-CBN News,

George Tabada and Camille Zarate

Published Apr 25, 2024 09:30 AM PHT

Read More:

abssports

fencing

Olympics

Paris Olympics

Olympic Games

2024 Olympics

Philippine National Fencing Team

Ronald Canlas

Philippine Fencing Association

Samantha Catantan

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