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Singapore's Raphael Tan Wins First Men's Individual Foil Gold at SEA Games 2025

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, December 16th 2025 at 8:17 GMT by The Straits Times
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Singapore’s Raphael Tan Clinches First Men’s Individual Foil Gold at SEA Games 2025

Singapore’s silver‑and‑gold‑medal haul at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Manila was capped on the fencing piste when 18‑year‑old Raphael Tan lifted the men’s individual foil trophy. The win not only marked a personal milestone for Tan but also earned Singapore its first gold in the discipline since the country first entered the sport at the SEA Games in 1993.

A Rapid Rise to the Top

Tan first entered the world of fencing in 2014, when a school‑based programme introduced him to the foil. He quickly showed an aptitude for the sport’s technical demands, winning a bronze at the 2020 Junior World Championships in Tashkent and a silver in the cadet category at the 2021 Asian Junior Championships in Tehran. His domestic success culminated in a gold medal at the 2022 National Fencing Championships, where he edged out veteran fencer Rachael Li in a 15‑13 bout.

In the lead‑up to the SEA Games, Tan spent several months training overseas in Germany, a move that has been lauded by Singapore’s national fencing coach, Dr. Li Wei. “The intensity and variety of bouts in Europe sharpened his tactical awareness and stamina,” Li noted. “Raphael’s decision‑making on the board has become lightning‑fast.”

The Road to Manila

The SEA Games fencing competition, held at the Ninoy Aquino Sports Complex, followed a two‑stage format: a pool round where fencers accumulated touches, and a knockout bracket where the top eight advanced. Tan navigated the pools with 13 touches for and 7 against, placing him fourth overall and earning a favorable seeding for the knockouts.

His first elimination‑round match was against Thailand’s Prawit Srithanakul, a seasoned fencer who had claimed a bronze at the 2023 SEA Games. Tan, however, used a mix of lunges and feints to dominate, winning 15‑8. The quarter‑final saw him face Malaysia’s Mohd Azim Harith, a bout that went to the final touch. Tan prevailed 15‑13 after a tense exchange that highlighted his defensive patience and rapid counter‑attack.

In the semi‑final, Tan’s opponent was the host‑nation’s top seed, Filipino fencer Jayson Dela Cruz. The match was a showcase of Tan’s growth: he adapted his strategy mid‑fight, switching from a more aggressive approach to a measured, tactical style that ultimately yielded a 15‑12 victory and a spot in the gold‑medal match.

The Gold‑Medal Match

The final, held before a packed audience, pitted Tan against Vietnam’s Phạm Minh Hùng. Hùng had already won silver in the men’s team foil event, and the two were evenly matched. The bout’s first three touches went to Hùng, but Tan’s persistence paid off when he hit a decisive double hit in the fourth minute, bringing the score to 6‑4. From there, Tan’s tempo controlled the pace: a series of high‑velocity lunge attacks that left Hùng scrambling for defense. The final score, 15‑10 in Tan’s favour, secured Singapore’s first men’s individual foil gold at the SEA Games.

“We’re thrilled to see such a young athlete reach this level,” said Tan’s coach, Dr. Li. “His work ethic and calm under pressure have set a new benchmark for the next generation of Singapore fencers.”

Tan, still in his teens, described the moment as “unbelievable” and “a testament to years of hard work.” He also paid tribute to his teammates, noting that the collective effort of the national squad had paved the way for his victory.

Broader Impact on Singaporean Fencing

Singapore’s fencing community has been quietly expanding over the past decade, with increased funding for grassroots programmes and the establishment of a national training centre in the Bukit Timah area. Tan’s gold medal has attracted fresh attention to the sport, with several local schools reporting a surge in enrollment for fencing clinics.

In the context of the SEA Games, Singapore’s overall fencing medal tally stood at three golds, one silver, and two bronze medals—an improvement over the 2023 Games where the nation earned only two bronze medals in the sport. Tan’s victory is seen as a catalyst that could accelerate Singapore’s aspirations for a medal at the upcoming 2026 Asian Games and, eventually, the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Looking Ahead

Following his SEA Games triumph, Tan has already expressed ambition to compete at the 2024 Olympics in Paris. He is currently working with the Fencing Singapore elite squad to fine‑tune his footwork and reach the Olympic qualification ranking. Meanwhile, he will be a key figure in Singapore’s men’s foil team as the country prepares for the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya.

Tan’s journey—from a young pupil at a school outreach programme to a gold‑medal champion—exemplifies Singapore’s growing capacity to develop world‑class athletes in less traditional sports. His success story will likely inspire a new generation of fencers to take up the foil, further solidifying Singapore’s reputation on the regional fencing stage.

For more details on the 2025 SEA Games fencing schedule and results, visit the official SEA Games website or Fencing Singapore’s athlete profile page.