SINGAPORE: Fencing is fast becoming a popular co-curricular activity in schools, and Paris Ris Crest Secondary School students are priming themselves for the 2010 Youth Olympic Games.
15-year-old Ernest Chua has an unfair advantage – he hails from a family of national fencers. And like his elder brothers before him, he joined Pasir Ris Crest Secondary School because of its intensive fencing programme.
"I was quite reluctant at first, but I know that this school is pretty good in fencing," said Chua.
Others feel that the sport prepares them mentally for school. Denise Dolendo, a Secondary 3 student at Pasir Ris Crest, said: "We will, of course, be fitter, but since we are able to think faster, it will help us academically."
"Fencing helps me to relieve stress and I can think fast on the spot," another Secondary 3 student, Clarissa Yew, said.
Training sessions are held as often as four times a week. Modern equipment like scoring machines and fencing pistes are used to equip students with better skills.
To maintain standards, the school also employs coaches from countries like Romania and China.
Neo Aik Ghee, the fencing team's teacher, said: "When we first started fencing in 2001, we only had a handful of (other) schools. Now we have 15 schools doing fencing, so it's getting more and more popular."
With the added competition, the 2007 National Schools Fencing champs know they have to stay ahead of their opponents and have their sights set on the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Singapore.
- CNA/so