Hangzhou 2022: Berthier foiled in fencing medal hunt

By Patrick Johnston

At the highest level of competition, the difference between success and failure really does come down to the tiniest of margins.

Singapore fencer Amita Berthier was reminded of that at the HDU Gymnasium on Monday (Sep 25) as she just missed out on an Asian Games medal in the women’s individual foil.

Berthier, Singapore’s joint flag bearer at the opening ceremony in Hangzhou, had won two of her six pool stage bouts in the women’s individual foil contest, with the four defeats all by the narrowest of 5-4 margins. 

Those results meant a last 16 rematch with highly-ranked Uzbek Umida Ilyosova, who was one of those to claim a narrow 5-4 win over the Singaporean in the pool stage. 

Berthier quickly fell behind 7-2 and then 10-5 in the knockout bout. Many others would have given up, beaten down by the disappointment of so many narrow defeats earlier in the day, but not Berthier. 

Showing all her steely Olympian qualities, she roared back to 14-14 and once again found herself in a ‘next point wins’ scenario. This time, though, she delivered; scoring the victorious point and letting out a scream of delight as she banished the pool stage frustrations.

Singapore’s Amita Berthier (left) celebrates scoring victory over Uzbek Umida Ilyosova during their Asian Games women’s individual foil last 16 knockout bout at the HDU Gymnasium. (Photo: SNOC/Kelly Wong)

Berthier, twice a SEA Games gold medallist, then faced South Korea’s Hong Sena in the quarter-finals, with the winner guaranteed at least a bronze. Another closely fought battle ensued before Hong prevailed 15-11 to reach the semi-finals. 

“I think I was a bit unlucky in the pools, I lost four, 5-4s so it meant a tough position to begin (the knockouts),” said the 22-year-old Berthier, who won an Asian Games bronze in the team foil five years ago in Indonesia.

“I think I probably was a bit nervous in the beginning and didn’t believe in myself as much as I should have because I know that I am one of the top contenders in this field, but I recharged after the pools and took a different approach. I’m going to fight no matter who I fence. I tried to carry that from my last match to this one, but it didn’t work out for me.”

Singapore’s Amita Berthier (right) is consoled by her coach, Amgad Khazbak, after defeat in her Asian Games women’s individual foil quarter-final bout at the HDU Gymnasium. (Photo: SNOC/Kelly Wong)

Berthier will now focus on the team foil competition where she will line up alongside Kemei Cheung, Yu Ling Tay and Maxine Wong, who reached the last 16 of the individual foil. Wong won three of her six bouts in the pool stages before putting up a brave fight against talented Japanese Sera Azuma in a 15-3 loss in the knockouts.

“The goal is definitely to be on the podium, “ said Berthier. “And me, personally, I want to bring the medal home for the team and I know we can do that.

“I’m very proud to always represent my country, a bit upset that I didn’t make the (individual) podium because I know I could have, but could have, would have, should have. Let’s focus on the next one.”

Singapore’s Maxine Wong (right) lunges in to attack Thai Chayanutphat Shinnakerdchoke during their Asian Games women’s individual foil pool stage bout at the HDU Gymnasium. (Photo: SNOC/Kelly Wong)

The 19th Asian Games are held in Hangzhou, China from 23 September to 8 October 2023. 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.