HA NOI -- Vietnamese fencer Nguyen Tien Nhat battled his way to a gold medal at the Asian Under-23 Fencing Championships.

Nhat, who is the sole representative of Viet Nam in fencing competition at the coming London Olympics, triumphed in the men's epee event. Nhat won the gold medal after four wins and two losses in the championships' qualifying round. He beat a rival from Uzbekistan 15-12 in the final match to secure gold.

Two other Vietnamese fencers were knocked-out in the first stages of the championships.

The tournament for young athletes is continuing in Manila, the Philippines, and has drawn more than 300 participants from 25 countries and territories with the competition ending on Friday. -- VNS