Thursday, February 09, 2006
For those who didn't manage to catch the article, thank me! I think I'm going to have sore fingers after this. *frowns* Here goes!
Third win on the trot for Yu Ling
Singapore national fencer Tay Yu Ling has had a run of good form in the past three weeks that has seen her win the same number of competitions - all in different countries.
She triumphed in the individual women's foil events at the Australia Under-20s tournament in Melbourne (Jan 17-20), the Commonwealth Junior Championships in Indian (Jan 24-29) and the Fencing Singapore Challenge last Saturday.
On top of that, the 18-year-old, who has been in the national team since 2002, was also a team gold winner in the competitions in Australia and India.
She said her performance in last year's South-east Asia Games in Manila had helped her to achiver her current fine form. She was a key player in Singapore's victory in the women's foil team event at the SEA Games, the first for the Republic since 1989.
"The SEA Games was a big confidence-booster for me," she said yesterday. "Even though I didn't compete in the individual event because my training had been affected by my preparation for the A-level exams, I felt that I fenced very well in the team event.
"I had a three-week break after the SEA Games in December and began training again only at the start of the year, so it was a bit of a surprise for me that I have performed so well. It has been an unbelievable three weeks.
"I am very thankful to my parents, teammates and coach for their support."
She is currently second, behind Ruth Ng, in the national rankings.
In Australia, she beat compatriot Cheryl Wong 15-9 in the final after defeating Ng 15-14 in the semi-finals. In India, she prevailed over England's Ciel Mepstead by a score of 12-11 to take the gold.
She again beat Ng by one point in a closely fought final at Saturday's Challenge event, the first major competition on the local fencing calendar.
Tay, who is waiting for her A-level results, said that her goal at the start of the year, which was to be selected for the Asian Games in Doha in December, remains unchanged.
This year's Challenge was the largest ever, with a record 182 participants representing 18 schools and five clubs taking part.
No wonder you were in India, Yuling! And I didn't even know you were a fencer. Lol... Jiayou, our very own national athlete! =D
-Angel-
a Jay was here;
8:18 PM
the FRIENDs
6 Jays
Class of 1999
MBS