Paris 2024: Courageous Kiria pushes Olympic elite

By Patrick Johnston

Kiria Tikanah Abdul Rahman showcased the prowess of Singaporean fencing by claiming a big upset victory in her opening round of the women’s individual epee before suffering a narrow defeat against a gold medal hopeful at the Paris Games on Saturday. 

Kiria held her nerve to claim a nail biting 15-14 overtime win over Peruvian opponent Maria Luisa Doig Calderon in the first round at the Grand Palais and then pushed world championship silver medallist Alberta Santuccio of Italy all the way in a 15-10 loss in the last 32.

Kiria Tikanah (right) stretches forward to attempt to land a blow on Italian opponent Alberta Santuccio in their women's epee last 32 bout at the Paris Olympics.  Photo: SNOC/Kong Chong Yew

Kiria, ranked 75th in the world, took an early lead in the opening period and was level through the second at 4-4 before the speed and guile of Santuccio began to shine through, the Italian scoring with a flurry of blows to open up an 8-5 lead. 

Kiria, 24, continued to battle into the closing stages, coming out on top in some tight exchanges but couldn’t get closer than three points. Santuccio, the world number three, scored two late blows to win the tie.

“I'm a bit disappointed with the results. But looking back at my fencing, I think it's something that I'm satisfied with," Kiria told reporters. 

“I gave everything I had, I left it all out there. She was a better fencer today, I hope she goes far so I can say I lost to the champion!”

Kiria Tikanah (right) lands a blow on her outstretched Italian opponent Alberta Santuccio in their women's individual epee last 32 bout at the Paris Olympics.  Photo: SNOC/Kong Chong Yew

Kiria was the first female Singaporean to compete at an Olympic epee event when she took part at the Tokyo Games three years ago. She said that experience, where she also won her opening match before defeat against another highly ranked fencer, had left her in a spin.

“The expectations after the Tokyo Olympics, that really overwhelmed me, and I don't think I fenced very well. Especially right after the Olympics,” she said.

“Slowly I got the hang of it but I would have liked to have peaked a bit more before so there was a bit more confidence coming into this Olympics.”

Despite her own critique, Kiria, the gold medallist at the 2019 SEA Games, looked incredibly composed as she came through a titanic struggle with Peru’s Maria Luisa Doig Calderon, ranked 29 places above her.

Kiria had led early in the cagey contest, carefully picking her attacks to build a 5-2 lead in the second period before Calderon opted to go on the offensive with time running out. 

The Peruvian brought the contest back to 6-6 at the end of the second round and led 14-13 with only 13 seconds remaining, before Kiria struck to force overtime.

Kiria Tikanah (right) ducks low to land a shot on Peru's Maria Luisa Doig Calderon in their women's epee last 64 bout at the Paris Olympics.  Photo: SNOC/Kong Chong Yew

With little action in the tense extra session, Calderon eventually lunged forward with an attack only for Kiria to duck low and pick off her opponent to the body to claim a 15-14 victory.

“I was just focussing point by point, I focused on what I wanted to do and that was why I was able to come back,” Kiria added. “I’m happy with my composure.”

Compatriot Amita Berthier will begin her women’s foil campaign on Sunday 28 July.

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games takes place in Paris, France from 26 July to 11 August 2024. 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.