SEA Games: Vietnam fencer loses to finishing blow from Singapore

Vietnam (right) got into the final with Singapore after beating Thailand 44-33 in the semifinals at My Dinh Indoor Athletics Arena.

The team of Vietnam in the final had Nguyen Tien Nhat, Nguyen Phuoc Den, Dang Tuan Anh and Tran Ut Ngoc, while Singapore had Han Elliot Yi Heng, Lee Samson Mun Hou, Lee Simon Renjie and Sito Jian Tong.

In fencing events, the athletes wear white armors and use the right weapon for the right category. There are three choices of weapons: foil, épée and saber.

In the armor there is a sensor chip that automatically calculates points each time a fencer is hit in the correct spot. In épée event, fencers attack each other and score using the tip of the weapon.

With the support of home fans, Vietnam get ahead constantly, but Singapore showed fighting spirit and equalized quickly.

When the official time was up, the score was 36-36 and "the golden hit" rule was applied. Which means whoever scored first within one minute will win.

Before going into the sudden death minute, the atmosphere was intense.

In the previous two SEA Games, Vietnam dominated the épée event so this time they wanted to repeat that as the hosts.

But the overall victory belonged to Singapore with a legal hit on the arm of Nhat.

The disappointment of the fencing veteran, who has just defeated Noelito Jr. Jose Garcia of the Philippines a few days ago in the final of the men’s individual épée event.

Since 2015, Nhat has brought Vietnam gold medal in every SEA Games.

On the other side, the Singapore fencers were celebrating.

Vietnam fencer team have won four gold, one silver and four bronze medals so far in SEA Games 31.