Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
NATIONAL fencer Hjh Anis Sabrina Hj Yahya is aiming for a top-eight finish at the upcoming 30th SEA Games in the Philippines.
She will be the only Brunei representative in the sport and she will compete in the women’s individual sabre event.
This will be her second appearance at the biennial Games having made her debut in the women’s individual foil event in 2017, where she failed to make it into the knockout rounds.
Anis, who celebrated her 22nd birthday yesterday, felt that she is well prepared despite making the switch from foil to sabre just two years ago.
“I want to be in the top-eight at the SEA Games. I feel like I’ve prepared very well for the past two years since the last edition,” said Anis in an interview with BruSports News yesterday when met at the Fencing Hall of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
“My last competition was at the Thailand open where I lost 15-10 to Singapore (in the second round). Looking at the bright side, I think it was a good improvement.
“Especially having only been in sabre for two years. The basics of foil and sabre events are very different,” she added.
“I will just need a bit more experience and sparring to become even better,” continued the Laksamana College of Business (LCB) student.
When asked on why she decided to change weapons, Anis replied: “There are not any foil players here and coach has always been an expert in sabre even from when he was an athlete so I decided to make the change.”
Anis will travel with national fencing coach Rocky Poerawinata to Incheon, South Korea from Sunday till November 29 for sparring purposes as their final preparations ahead of the Games.
“Hopefully Anis will use this opportunity in Korea to her best because for the two weeks she will be sparring against opponents much stronger than her,” said Rocky, who has been coaching Brunei for the past 18 years.
“I have given her all the techniques and strategies. So now it is dependent on her for a strong mentality and try her best to reach peak performance during the competition,” added the 50-year-old
When asked on which are top countries to watch out for in the Philippines, Rocky replied: “Of course the Philippines as they have been training overseas and also had competitions in Europe. Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore make up the top-four.
“My target for Anis is to make it into the second round and we will see again from there,” concluded Rocky.
A total of 15 competitors from eight countries, including Anis, will vie for top honours in the event.
