En Garde: The Green Fencers are geared up to strike for Gold this UAAP S85
It has been almost three years since the Fencing event last appeared on the UAAP scene, with it being in Season 82, when the Green Fencers secured bronze overall. Despite the pandemic setup back in 2020, the Taft-based squad performed admirably, earning silver medals for the Men’s Sabre Team, which included then-rookie, now the captain, John Michael Gajon, and bronze medals for both the Men’s Épée and Foil Teams.
Picking up the Pieces
When the pandemic struck, captain Gajon admitted that the team’s competence suffered tremendously since they were unable to maximize their training hours and refine their skills to their maximum potential. Their opponents were one step ahead in terms of face-to-face training during the pandemic, while the Taft-based squad was constrained to an online training setup throughout the extended hiatus from UAAP S82 til September of last year. The captain emphasized the importance of putting in additional effort in their training since they are expected to pick up right where they left off pre-pandemic.
“Nung Season 82, di ko masyado naramdaman yung training namin pero ngayon sa Season 85 since galing sa pandemic, kailangan namin mag-extra work at mag-sacrifice ng maraming bagay since kailangan naming humabol”, he shared.
Shifting the Team Dynamic
Maintaining the team dynamic was challenging, with the fencing team divided into three sub-teams, partially due to the athletes being separated according to the weapon they will be mastering (sabre, foil, épée). Coming into the season, the Men’s Fencing Team will also showcase a new set of faces, following the team’s recent open tryouts held last September 2022. Being captain of a team as complex as the Green Fencers is no mean feat, but Gajon is more than ready to give his all for the family, especially now that he is also in his final playing year.
The captain revealed that through the assistance of his co-captains, the squad is now stronger than ever. To pave the way for a gold medal this season and to strengthen the camaraderie of the whole team, the team conducts meetings and team-building activities on a regular basis where every athlete can bond with one another and absorb the right kind of mentality in preparation for this season.
With the épée sword being the heaviest weapon in fencing, Gajon proudly declares that the Men’s Épée squad is the most hardworking of the three, and anticipates that their efforts will bear fruit this season. The Green Fencers, like all athletes, had to endure sacrifices, especially as the season draws nearer. The captain revealed that they used to train twice a day, but as the season approaches, they began training three times a day, with the Sabre and Foil teams undertaking daily intensive training. To further amplify their skills and be at par with that of national athletes, the captain revealed that the team regularly trains with the Philippine National Fencing Team at the University of Life Theater and Recreational Arena (ULTRA).
Sharpening the Swords
Last year, as part of the team’s rigorous preparation for the forthcoming season, they competed in the National Open Fencing Championship, where they faced both opponents from UAAP schools and national fencing athletes. Gajon expressed his astonishment at the team’s success, given that they only had three weeks to train and still managed to place in the top eight and top 16 spots. Several rookies also competed in their preseason competition, which the captain hoped provided them with the necessary experience for this season.
In tune with their goal of securing a gold, the captain also shared some inspiring remarks that provide insight into a fencing athlete’s passion towards his sport. “Narealize ko na wala sa gaano katagal ka nagtraining, it’s more on your eagerness o kung gaano mo kagusto yung isang bagay. Kung ganoon ang mindset mo, makukuha mo yung goal mo”, he concluded.
The DLSU Green Fencers have their weapons all primed and ready to bout for gold this Season 85. The team is asking for the support of the whole Lasallian community as they aim to bring home the championship title this year.
“Ipa-promise namin na gagawin namin yung best namin para makuha yung gold this season”, claimed Gajon.
Catch the DLSU Green Fencers’ season opener this Thursday, February 23, 9AM, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavillion.
February 23, 9AM — Men’s Sabre (Individual)
February 23, 1PM — Men’s Épée (Individual)
February 24, 1PM — Men’s Foil (Individual)
February 25, 9AM — Men’s Sabre (Team)
February 25, 1PM — Men’s Épée (Team)
February 26, 1PM — Men’s Foil (Team)
