NSG 2023 Fencing : Contenders Rise to Prevent Another Clean Sweep of Sabre medals by Raffles Institution!

RI's Trevor Leo (2nd from L) was crowned Champion of the A Division Sabre final at NSG 2023. Photo Credit : Team Nila Content Producer, Eric Koh

In the 2022 National School Games, Raffles Institution (RI) dominated the Sabre programme with 5 of their fencers, finishing in the top-5 positions. In fact, the RI Boys were overwhelmingly superior as they swept Gold, Silver and Bronze in the A Division. It was a similar affair in the Girls' competition, as the Rafflesians stunned the A Division by emulating the success of their male counterparts. 

It's been a year since that remarkable "double" by the RI family. And the other competing schools were busy practising, training and strategizing to end RI's dominance. And on 20 April 2023 at the OCBC Arena, it was "the moment of truth" as 15 athletes from 8 tertiary institutions faced 5 fencers from RI, in an attempt to avoid a back-to-back title sweep. And over the course of a 3-hour competition programme, RI’s Trevor Leo took home the gold, Ivan Tan of Hwa Chong Institution bagged the silver and his teammates Tan You Wen and Ryan Toh shared the bronze. This time round, the Hwa Chongians fought fiercely, but just couldn't prevent RI from topping the podium yet again. 

For the highlights of an exciting afternoon from the Boys' A Division Sabre Final, do check out the pictorial below, courtesy of Team Nila Content Producer, Eric Koh

Allez - The Referee calls for the Fencers to get ready to start. Photo Credit : Team Nila Content Producer, Eric Koh

A fencer during his warmup session. Photo Credit : Team Nila Content Producer, Eric Koh

Fencers in action during the preliminary round. Photo Credit : Team Nila Content Producer, Eric Koh

Fencers in action during the Semi-finals. Photo Credit : Team Nila Content Producer, Eric Koh

RI's Trevor Leo (Left) defeats top seed Ryan Toh (SSP) 15-12 during the Semi-finals. Photo Credit : Team Nila Content Producer, Eric Koh

The team from Catholic Junior College. Photo Credit : Team Nila Content Producer, Eric Koh

RI's Trevor Leo (Left) and Ryan Toh (SSP) tumble to the Piste at the end of a round. Photo Credit : Team Nila Content Producer, Eric Koh

Bearing the symbol of the Gryphon, these Rafflesians were rooting for their team-mates to win. Photo Credit : Team Nila Content Producer, Eric Koh

RI's Trevor Leo (Left) vs Ivan Tan (HCI) in the grand final. Photo Credit : Team Nila Content Producer, Eric Koh

2nd seed Ivan Tan (HCI) receiving instructions during a match break. Photo Credit : Team Nila Content Producer, Eric Koh

At the end of the Final bout, RI's Trevor Leo (Left) beat Ivan Tan (HCI) 15-11 to seal the gold. Photo Credit : Team Nila Content Producer, Eric Koh

(From L) HCI's Sabre medallists Ryan Toh (bronze), Ivan Tan (silver) and Tan You Wen (bronze). Photo Credit : Team Nila Content Producer, Eric Koh

Celebrate youth sport with ActiveSG Circle's coverage of National School Games 2023 here 

Watch more here

Read more here

Tell us what you think here

Cheer on the school teams and student athletes here