Proud moment: Nhat celebrates with his gold medal in the men's individual epee event. — VNS Photo Tien Thanh

HCM CITY (VNS) — Viet Nam's fencers won two gold medals out of two on the first day of the Southeast Asia Fencing Federation's Championship at Phan Dinh Phung Gymnasium yesterday.

Olympian and Vietnamese ace Nguyen Tien Nhat needed only two bouts to earn a 15-12 win over old rival Koh I-Jie of Malaysia and take the men's individual epee event.

"I've met Koh three times before and lost to him once. All my matches against him were tight fights and so was this final," Nhat said.

Another Vietnamese, Truong Tran Nhat Minh, shared third place with Koysuwankeeree Witsara of Thailand.

Meanwhile, in the women's individual foil event, there was an easy bout for Nguyen Thi Tuoi who defeated her compatriot Nguyen Thi Nguyet 12-5 in the final to claim Viet Nam's second gold medal.

Third place went to another Vietnamese, Le Thi Bich, who shared the spot with Wong Cheryl Ye Han of Singapore.

The action continues today with two finals in the women's epee and men's saber events.

The tournament, which is being held in HCM City for the first time, attracts athletes from six countries in the region. — VNS