FORMER UST Male Fencers team captain Noelito Jose took home the silver medal in the men’s epee individual event of the Southeast Asian Federation Fencing Championships 2018 at the Tan Sri Hamzah Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Sunday.
Jose ran out of gas against Vietnamese Olympian Nguyen Tien Nhat, 9-15, in the gold medal match to settle for second place.
“Masaya na naka-silver ako kasi mahirap magkaroon ng medal sa individual event sa competition na ito tapos galing pa akong injury, ibig sabihin bumabalik na ‘yong laro ko sa fencing,” Jose told the Varsitarian in an online interview.
On his way to the finals, Jose defeated Vietnamese Nguyen Phuoc Den in the quarterfinals, 15-14, and Phoong Thanh Cam, 15-9, in the semifinals.
The competition was Jose’s first after he suffered from a fractured right foot that sidelined him for three months.
Due to his injury, Jose missed his training camp in France, the Asian Games, Asian Fencing Championships, and World Championships.
Jose was a four-time epee individual event gold medalist in the UAAP from Season 77 to Season 80.
