Young fencer Morales sets sights on SEA Games, Asian Games and Olympics

By Edwin Rollon

Thirteen-year-old Christine May Morales is dreaming big after helping the Philippine fencing team strong finish at the recently concluded Southeast Asian Fencing Federation (SEAFF) Junior and Cadet Championships in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Morales, a Grade 8 student at the University of the East-Manila, captured the gold medal in the Under-14 Junior Women’s Foil event after defeating fellow Filipino Yuri Simmone Canlas in an all-Filipino final.

Her strong performance continued in the team competition, where she joined Willa Galvez and Victoria Malvar in the Cadet Women’s Team Foil event. The Philippine trio secured the silver medal, adding another podium finish to Morales’ growing international résumé.

The Philippine delegation ended the championships with an impressive haul of five gold, seven silver and 13 bronze medals, underscoring the growing depth of the country’s young fencing program.

For Morales, competing against some of Southeast Asia’s promising young fencers was both an exciting and challenging experience.

“I was very happy and excited to compete for the Philippines. I was also nervous because I knew the other countries had strong fencers, but I tried to stay focused and trust my training,” Morales said during the Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports, Inc. (TOPS) ‘Usapang Sports’ at the VIP Room of the Rizal Sports Stadium in Malate, Manila.

“Every time I wore the Philippine uniform, I felt proud because I knew that I was not only competing for myself. I was also competing for my family, my coaches, my teammates and the Philippines,” she added.

Morales said having her teammates by her side helped her remain composed throughout the competition.

“It was easier because I was with my teammates. They are also my best friends, so we encouraged each other before and during our matches. When one of us was nervous, the others would remind us to stay focused,” she said.

Winning the silver medal was another important milestone in Morales’ young career.

“I felt very happy when we won the silver medal, although of course we wanted to win gold. Still, I am proud of what we accomplished because we fought until the end,” she said.

The Philippine delegation produced several impressive individual and team performances in Kuala Lumpur. Oscar del Castillo led the medal haul with gold in the Under-17 cadet men’s epee and silver in the Under-21 junior men’s epee, while several other Filipino fencers also reached the podium.

For Morales, however, the tournament was more than a medal-winning experience. It also gave her a clearer picture of what it takes to compete at the highest level.

“I learned that I still have a lot to improve. The competition was strong, and I saw many fencers who were very fast and experienced. It made me more determined to train harder,” she said in the forum sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission, Behrouz Cuisine and Pocari Sweat

Morales already has her sights set on the biggest stages in international sport. Her immediate ambition is to compete in the Southeast Asian Games, followed by the Asian Games and, ultimately, the Olympics.

“I really want to compete in the SEA Games someday. My bigger dreams are the Asian Games and the Olympics. I know it will not be easy, but I want to continue training and improving until I get that opportunity,” she said.

To achieve those goals, Morales believes greater international exposure and more opportunities to train against top-level competition are essential. She hopes to train abroad with her young teammates, where they can test themselves against stronger fencers and learn new techniques.

Morales also expressed her gratitude to her teachers and school officials for allowing her to make up missed classes, as well as to her parents and future sponsors for their continued support and encouragement.

“We want to train abroad because we know that it will help us become better fencers. We want to experience training with stronger athletes and learn different techniques. We want to challenge ourselves against the best in the region and, hopefully, the best in the world,” Morales said.

The young fencer also appealed to potential sponsors and supporters to help provide promising Filipino fencers with the resources needed to pursue international competition.

“The sport of fencing is quite expensive, considering the costs involved in competitions, training, and equipment. We hope there are sponsors who can help young athletes like us because we really want to compete internationally and represent the Philippines,” Morales said.

“Any kind of support would mean a lot to us. It would help us join more competitions, train more and gain the experience we need. In return, we will continue working hard and doing our best to make our country proud,” she added.

Morales stressed that such support could benefit not only her but also other young Filipino fencers who have the potential to excel internationally.

“We have many young fencers who have the potential to become good athletes. Sometimes the challenge is having enough opportunities to compete and train abroad. We hope sponsors will see our potential and help us continue our journey,” she said.

For Morales, the Kuala Lumpur championships were not simply another tournament. They represented another important step toward her bigger ambitions.

“I am thankful for the opportunity to compete, and I learned a lot from this tournament. I know I still have a long way to go, but I will continue training and working hard,” she said.

With Philippine Fencing Association competitions expected to continue through the remainder of the year, Morales will have more opportunities to sharpen her skills, gain valuable experience, and prepare for tougher international challenges.

At 13, she knows the road to the SEA Games, Asian Games and Olympics remains a long and demanding one. But after gaining a taste of international competition in Kuala Lumpur, Morales is determined to keep moving forward.

“My dream is to represent the Philippines on the biggest stages. I will do everything I can to become a better fencer and hopefully make my country proud,” Morales said.

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