Nicanor comes back, nips Indonesian opponent for first SEAG fencing gold

Jynyl Nicanor (left) celebrates as she gets the deciding 15th point in the women's sabre final. Photo by Drew Malihan
by Drew Malihan

PASAY -- It was deadlock at 14. Both the Philippines' Jylyn Nicanor and Indonesia's Diah Permatasawi have their LED sensors lit. With the referee unsure of who to give the point, it was up to the video referee.

And ten seconds later, the World Trade Center roars from its feet, as the Filipino delivers the final blow for the win.

Nicanor unleased a come-from-behind win to take the gold medal of the women's sabre event in fencing on Thursday.

In a post-match interview, the Filipino said that the comeback was just a product of their training.

"Kinakabahan na po talaga ako," she added, mentioning the 14-point deadlock. "Iniisip ko na lang lahat ng pinaghirapan namin, kung hindi ko makukuha ito, wala na talaga."

Nicanor quipped that it was her first fencing gold in the Southeast Asian Games, tracing back to Jakarta-Palembang in 2011.

Nicanor dropped Thai stalwart Tonpan Poekaw in the semifinal round with a quick 15-9 work to book a finals date with Permatasawi.

Permatasawi led by as much as four points in the early game and ending the first bout 8-5.

Nicandro countered at the opening of the second bout, launching four straight points against the Indonesian.

It then turned to several deadlocks and lead changes before Permatasawi found herself leading 14-13.

Nicanor made crucial attacks to turn the table and grab the gold for the host nation.

Fellow Filipino fencer Noelito Jose Jr. meanwhile found himself with the bronze medal in the men's individual epee, losing to eventual champion Nguyen Tien Nhat of Vietnam.

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