BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN; Brunei Darussalam will mark its return to the Asian Junior and Cadet Fencing Championship 2026 for the first time since 2005 when four young athletes compete in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The Brunei Darussalam Fencing Federation is sending its Junior Sabre team to the regional meet from Feb 18 to 27, signalling a renewed push to rebuild and strengthen the sport locally.
The squad comprises Hariz Zakaria, Za’em Zahieruddin Sopian, Khairul Ikhwan Iman Khairuddin and Hanis Irfan Abdullah. They are accompanied by coach Rocky Poerawinata.
Competing in the Junior (Under-21) category, the Brunei Sabre team will focus exclusively on the sabre discipline, taking part in both the individual and team events. The individual competition is scheduled for Feb 25, followed by the team event on Feb 27.
According to the federation, the championship represents a significant milestone in its ongoing efforts to nurture a new generation of fencers by building technical proficiency, gaining valuable international exposure and enhancing competitiveness at the regional level.
The athletes have undergone intensive daily training in preparation for the tournament. The quartet are also identified as prospects for the 2026 Sukma Games, with the Jakarta outing aimed at sharpening their competitive mentality and match experience against stronger opposition.
A total of 25 countries from across Asia will compete in the Junior Under-21 category, with 422 athletes participating, providing a stern test for Brunei’s young fencers as they step back onto the continental stage after a two-decade absence. – Borneo Bulletin/ANN
