Malaysia’s fencing contingent exceeded expectations at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in Bangkok, clinching two silver medals in the men’s foil and men’s sabre team events and signalling growing competitiveness within the regional fencing landscape.
According to Malaysian Fencing Federation (MFF) president Rusni Abu Hassan, the results surpassed the team’s initial target of two bronze medals, underlining both preparation depth and athlete resilience in the face of intense regional competition.
“Coming into the SEA Games, the target was to secure two bronze medals,” Rusni said, adding that both the men’s foil and sabre teams “rose to the challenge, exceeding the target with silver medal finishes in both events.”
The sabre medal also carried historic significance, ending an 11-year wait for Malaysia to return to the SEA Games podium in the discipline. Rusni noted that fencing once again contributed to the national medal tally, maintaining its role as a consistent performer at multi-sport regional events.
In the men’s foil team event, Tristan Cheng Xing Han, Kaerlan Vinod Kamalanathan, Heng Yu Shen and Saif Nordin, under coach Tran Muhammad Adyn, edged hosts Thailand 45-44 in a dramatic semi-final before advancing to the final against Singapore. Rusni highlighted that earlier individual performances by Tristan Cheng and Kaerlan Vinod proved pivotal in securing Malaysia a favourable team pathway into the final.
The men’s sabre team, comprising Wong Tzer Chyuan, Terry Lee Dong Wei, Sebastian Lim Sheng Jia and Syed Adam Emir Putra, defeated the Philippines 45-42 in their semi-final. Coached by former Olympian Yu Peng Kean, the bout featured repeated momentum swings and capped an eventful final day of competition.
While Malaysian fencers did not medal in the individual events, Rusni said several athletes delivered high-ranking finishes that strengthened the team campaign. “These strong performances by both the men and the women show that Malaysian athletes are on a clear trajectory to becoming a competitive force in the region,” she said.
She also credited targeted overseas training programmes supported by the federation, which saw foilists Kaerlan Vinod Kamalanathan and Heng Yu Shern train in Japan, Tristan Cheng Xing Han in Italy, Wong Tzer Chyuan and Syed Adam Emir Putra in the United States, and sabreurs Terry Lee Dong Wei and Sebastian Lim Jia Sheng in Korea. The exposure, she said, raised technical standards, tactical awareness and international readiness ahead of the Games.
Calling the campaign a collective effort, Rusni acknowledged that challenges remain as regional standards continue to rise, noting the federation’s intention to keep working closely with stakeholders and government agencies. She expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS), National Sports Council (MSN) and the Olympic Council of Malaysia for their support, and thanked outgoing minister Hannah Yeoh for her leadership in athlete development.
Rusni added that the federation looks forward to continued engagement with newly appointed Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari as preparations begin for the 2027 SEA Games, which Malaysia will host. “With the momentum of Bangkok behind us, preparations for the 2027 SEA Games begin now,” she said, adding that Malaysia aims “to turn silver into gold” and further elevate its standing in regional fencing.
She said the latest results are expected to draw greater attention to fencing in Malaysia and inspire more young athletes to take up the sport, as the federation continues building a sustainable pipeline for future international success. 