Heng 'shocked' by Asian c'ships sabre silver

Almost two hours on from clinching a historic silver medal at the Asian Fencing Championships on June 18, Singapore's Juliet Heng was still in disbelief and unable to quite comprehend what she had just achieved while speaking to The Straits Times.

- Deepanraj Ganesan

Earlier in the day, the 20-year-old had reached the women's sabre final, where she fell 15-7 to Japan's defending champion and world No. 2 Misaki Emura at the Westin Resort Nusa Dua in Bali, Indonesia.

The silver won by Heng, who is the world No. 93, is Singapore's best finish in the continental competition.

It surpassed the modest target she had set for herself.

The Singapore Sports School student said: "I had zero expectations. When people asked me, I said I wanted to get third, but deep inside I didn't actually believe I could get third. But then, now I am in second.

"I'm shocked. I'm actually still just trying to process it. I still can't believe I made it all the way... to the podium stage."

A joint-bronze in the women's foil by Amita Berthier in the 2023 edition had been Singapore's best showing till Heng's silver.

Singapore had also won a joint-bronze in 2022 in the women's foil team event courtesy of Maxine Wong, Berthier, Denyse Chan and Cheung Kemei, as well as in 2010 via Ruth Ng, Tay Yu Ling, Wang Wenying and Cheryl Wong.