Juliana Gomez Secures Back-to-Back UAAP Fencing Championship
Juliana Gomez, daughter of SEA Games fencing champion Richard Gomez and Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres, successfully defended her UAAP fencing tiara for the second consecutive season. She emerged victorious in a thrilling match against La Salle’s Cyrra Vergara, solidifying her position as the reigning queen of the sport.
Golden Victory
Representing the University of the Philippines, Juliana Gomez clinched the epee gold medal with a narrow 15-14 win over her opponent. Her triumph added to UP’s overall success in the competition, with teammate Nana Carbonell also securing a gold medal in the women’s foil event.
Family Legacy
Juliana Gomez’s fencing prowess is not just a personal achievement but also a continuation of her family’s legacy in the sport. Her father, Richard Gomez, a former actor and Leyte Representative, had previously won a fencing gold at the Southeast Asian Games.
Team Success
UP Maroons maintained their lead in the standings with a strong performance, including Angela Dayro’s bronze medal in the sabre individual event. The team’s collective effort put them in a favorable position to win the overall women’s event title.
UE Dominance
University of the East showcased their strength in the competition, with reigning MVP Queen Dalmacio leading the charge. Dalmacio’s gold medal in the sabre individual event contributed to UE’s impressive 1-1-1 gold-silver-bronze tally, keeping them in contention for the top spot.
Men’s Competition
In the men’s division, UE Red Warriors and La Salle emerged as frontrunners after the foil individual events. Collei Felipe of UE successfully defended his foil title, while La Salle’s Lorenzo Mercado and Reindell Lacerna secured bronze medals, reshuffling the standings.
High School Division
Opao Catantan’s victory in the sabre individual event highlighted UE’s dominance in the high school division. With a strong performance, UE is on track to secure the 13th girls’ title, showcasing their depth of talent in fencing.
