Joshua fails to reap reward from training in Italy

Joshua Koh (right) in action during the fencing men's epee individual at the Chroy Changvar Convention Center in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, May 11, 2023. - GLENN GUAN/The Star

IT was not a good start for Malaysia with experienced fencer Joshua Koh (pic) stumbling in the individual epee event at Chroy Chanvar Convention Centre yesterday.

Joshua, the former SEA Games individual winner in epee in Indonesia in 2011, crashed out 7-15 in the quarter-finals to Singaporean youngster Si To Jian Tong.

The 32-year-old, who previously took silver in the 2019 Games held in the Philippines, and bronze in the 2021 Vietnam edition that was delayed till last year, arrived here in Phnom Penh as a medal prospect for the team after a three-week training stint in Pisa, Italy.

The team epee event on Sunday will be Joshua’s remaining hope to return home with a medal where he partners newcomers Issac Seet, Kelvyn Kok and Jesaiah Lyshant Rabindranath.

“Everything just did not work out for me. I was desperate to reach the medal rounds but I guess I could not handle the expectations.

“I will try to do better in the team event after this,” said the disappointed Joshua.

Isaac, the second Malaysian in the individual epee competition, lost 11-15 in the last 16 stage to Filipino Ergina Lee Eigran.

If there was any consolation for Joshua, it was the fact that he lost to the eventual champion.

The 19-year-old Jian Tong went on to beat the defending champion Nguyen Tien Nhat of Vietnam 15-11 in the semi-finals.

Jian Tong, a late addition to the Singapore team, then beat Jose Noelito Garcia, the silver medallist from Hanoi, 15-11 to secure gold.

Malaysia’s Resha Sabaratnam lost 13-15 to Cambodian Nich Sorn in the women’s sabre individual.

Juliet Heng beat Jessica Ong 15-8 in the all-Singapore women’s sabre final.