SEA Games 2023: Singapore fencer Si To Jian Tong wins gold despite being late replacement
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Singapore's Si To Jian Tong beat Jose Noelito Garcia of the Philippines 15-11 in the men's epee final to win the Republic's first gold in the event.
ST PHOTO: DESMOND FOO
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PHNOM PENH – Heading to Cambodia, Singapore fencer Si To Jian Tong’s inclusion in the SEA Games individual epee had been overshadowed by the controversial exclusion of a more experienced fencer.
But on Thursday, he had the spotlight firmly fixed on him and it even had a golden hue as he clinched Singapore’s first gold medal in the event.
The 19-year-old prevailed after beating Jose Noelito Garcia of the Philippines 15-11 in the final at the Chroy Changvar Convention Centre. Simon Lee, who lost to Garcia in the semi-finals, won the joint bronze medal.
Si To was named as a replacement in the individual event for veteran Samson Lee, who was dropped from the squad for missing three training sessions
Si To said he was informed “about a month” ago that he would replace Lee for the individual event. On what his mental state was, he said: “The decision affected our team but I chose to respect it and told myself I will do my best for the team and for Samson.”
And despite the late notice, this win came as no surprise to him.
He said: “It is not surprising because I feel my form is getting better and better. I have higher goals. Before the competition, the only thing I wanted is a gold medal. Everything I did today was due to my efforts towards finally delivering that gold medal (for Singapore). My coach told me to be mentally stronger and had told me I am able to do it.”
The country’s previous best result in the men’s epee was when Ronald Tan (1987 and 1989), James Wong (1991) and Lim Wei Wen (2007 and 2015) won silver.
During his SEA Games debut in Vietnam last May, Si To was part of the epee team who won gold but had to settle for a top-eight finish in the individual event.
When asked if Si To’s win had vindicated Fencing Singapore’s decision to field him over Lee, fencing chief Juliana Seow said: “I don’t think it is related. It is a decision that was made and Samson and Fencing Singapore have moved on.”
She added: “We’ve continued to grow over the past few SEA Games and I’m happy to see such a strong start from the team. All four of our fencers fought hard today and deserved the medals they won. We hope our other fencers will take heart... and do their best when their turns come up.”
In the women’s sabre event, 17-year-old debutante Juliet Heng won Singapore’s other fencing gold. She defeated compatriot Jessica Ong 15-8 in the final.
Heng’s win is Singapore’s first in the event since the 2017 Games when Lau Ywen won gold.
After the win, there was no rejoicing from Heng. Instead, she went over to check on Ong.
Heng said: “We are very, very close (friends). She was injured before the final and she could not fence her best. I was more concerned about her (after the win).”
Heng herself had to grapple with pain after she had suffered a foot injury heading into Cambodia.
“I told myself that since I am here, I am going to do my best. When I stepped back, it hurt a lot and it was painful throughout the matches but I thought about (winning) one point at a time.
“It was nice to hear the national anthem being played... I wanted to win the gold. It is my first time and I was nervous but my coach believed in me.”
Singapore fencing’s perfect start to these Games will give them confidence that they can beat their best showing of six gold, four silver and five bronze medals from the last edition in Hanoi.
