“Young, Gifted, and En Garde: Meet Christine”

 

Manila, Philippines – At just 11 years old, Christine May Morales has made a significant impact in the fencing community, showcasing her exceptional talent by competing in all three fencing weapons —epee, sabre, and foil — and winning medals in each discipline in the Philippines and abroad.

At the recent 3rd Malaysia Fencing Federation (MFF) Minime International Tournament held from November 30 to December 5, 2024 at the Tan Sri Hamzah Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, she competed fiercely against top young athletes from countries including Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Germany, Korea, and India. Christine bagged a total of seven medals: four gold medals in the Epee and Foil Individual and Team events for Girls U12, a silver medal in the U17 foil team event, and two bronze medals in the U14 foil individual and U12 sabre team events.

This impressive medal tally not only highlights her versatility and adaptability on the piste but also underscores her status as a rising star in fencing. Her exceptional performance alongside other outstanding fencers from Canlas Fencing, Alabang Fencing, QC- Sep and University of the East led by former national team head Coach Coach Amat Canlas, played a key role in this record-breaking performance of the Philippine delegation which collectively brought home 19 gold medals, 6 silver medals, and 25 bronze medals, outshining competitors from various nations.

Other notable gold medalist in the individual categories included Grey Ang in U8 men’s foil, Linus Sytengco in U8 men’s sabre, Yuri Canlas in U10 women’s foil and epee, Sidney Peralta in U14 men’s epee, Rainier Cadiente in U12 Men’s Foil , Willa Galvez in U14 women’s foil, Papina Torre in U17 women’s epee, Hannah Belarmino of Ateneo/CDA in U17 women’s foil, and Jude Canaveral of Pasig Fencing in U12 men’s epee.

Christine began her fencing journey at the age of four under Coach Christian Canlas at QC-SEP Fencing, before moving to the Canlas Fencing program led by Coach Amat Canlas and they have been instrumental in developing Christine’s skills, competitive edge, and mindset. Instilling respect, integrity, excellence, sportmanship, and love of country. Her mother, Glowy Malipol, introduced Christine to the sport not only for fun but also to foster physical, emotional, and mental strength, emphasizing that “Sports build character.” Fencing has taught Christine essential life lessons, including how to handle victory with humility and defeat with grace. With this foundation, she faces challenges head-on, stating, “To never give up, and if I ever lose… at least I learned something new.”

This resilience showcases her determination as an athlete and embodies the empathy and sportsmanship that extend beyond the sport itself. “I really enjoy the friendships I make in fencing, and I want to achieve even more in the sport. I’m dedicated to improving my fencing abilities while also keeping up with school so I can grow as both a competitive athlete and a diligent student. ” she expressed with enthusiasm.

As she trains for future competitions, Christine aims to continue her journey with the ambition of winning an Olympic gold medal for the Philippines and securing a scholarship and support in her sport. Her passion for fencing, combined with her exceptional ability to compete across all three weapons, positions her not only as a rising star but as a true game-changer embodying the spirit of athletic excellence and national pride.

Christine May Morales is not only an inspiration for young athletes but also a testament to the spirit of hard work and dedication. As she continues to hone her skills, the world eagerly awaits her future achievements on the international stage, proudly representing the Philippines and setting a shining example for aspiring fencers everywhere.