SEA Games 2025: Fencers add to haul with foil, epee team golds

Team Singapore fencers won the men's foil and women's epee events, while taking silver in the women's sabre. Photo: SNOC/ Kong Chong Yew

If there is one thing beyond medals that Singapore’s fencers are taking away from the piste at the 33rd SEA Games, it is a lesson in coming back from behind. 

A day after Amita Berthier’s valiant recovery in the women’s individual epee, the men’s foil team also staged their own semi-final comeback on Dec 18. 

The quartet of Jonathan Lim, Samuel Elijah Robson, Julian Soh and Raphael Tan chased down a seven-point deficit against the Philippines in the last-four tie, before romping to a dominant 45-20 victory over Malaysia to take team gold. 

Said Tan, now a double champion after adding to his individual win: “After that semi-final, I grabbed the boys together. I told them, come on, we can do better. We know what we expect of ourselves. We know what the country expects of us – so let's perform. As you can see in the results, we dominated in the final.

“It’s always hard when you're behind. Just like in life, as long as you keep looking ahead and you power through it… as long as you stay calm and not crumble under the pressure, you will have a very good chance of at least challenging that deficit and eventually overcoming it.

“We practise that in training. How are we going to react when we’re down? All it takes is will power and the heart to say ‘I'm not going to panic’. I'm going to take a stand here, and I'm just going to keep powering through.” 

The result is sweet revenge for Robson, who was part of the squad that settled for team silver at the last edition in Cambodia. 

Samuel Elijah Robson (left) in action in the men's team foil final on Dec 18. Photo: SNOC/ Kong Chong Yew

He said: “There was obviously some disappointment there (from 2023). Mostly, it was just motivation to work towards the next SEA Games, which was this one. I think we accomplished that really well.” 

The women’s epee team, a side fielding the top two performers in the individual event, also lived up to their billing. Elle Koh, Kiria Tikanah Abdul Rahim, Esther Tan and Filzah Hidayah Binte Nor Anuar defied the pressure of playing the home side, beating Thailand 45-36 to retain team gold. 

Said Kiria, who clinched the final point for victory: “We knew that we have a very strong team… we felt really confident that we could defend the title, but we couldn't be too complacent. The tough matches really kept us in our place. There were matches that we started off shaky, but we still pulled through.” 

Filzah Hidayah Binte Nor Anuar (left) in action in the women's team epee final on Dec 18. Photo: SNOC/ Kong Chong Yew

Added Koh, also a double champion at these Games: “Our consistent results show how much effort we have put in and how much we train. We know that we’ve put in the work, and even though it's stressful that we have a title to defend, we know that we have the skills to do it.” 

In the women’s sabre final, Singapore settled for silver after being beaten 45-32 by home side Thailand.

Jae Lim (left) in action in the women's team sabre final on Dec 18. Photo: SNOC/ Kong Chong Yew

The women’s sabre team consisted of individual champion Juliet Heng, as well as Jae Lim, Christine Tan, and Jermaine Tan. 

Team Singapore fencers are in action for their final day of competition on Dec 19, contesting the women’s foil, men’s epee and men’s sabre team events. 

The 33rd SEA Games are held in Thailand from 9 to 20 December 2025. For the latest Team Singapore coverage and news, follow Team Singapore on their social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) or visit the official Team Singapore website.