S’porean Fencer Dropped from SEA Games for Missing Training Due to Father’s Hospitalisation & Wife Giving Birth

Last Updated on 2023-05-05 , 11:16 am

With the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games just around the corner in less than a month, some of us might have been curiously anticipating who will represent Team Singapore in the Games.

But regardless of whether you’ve been closely following the announcements, one thing’s for sure: For most of us, it’d make complete sense to send the same people who did well during the previous SEA Games in 2021, right?

Unfortunately, that won’t be the case for former SEA Games Fencing team gold winner Samson Lee, who revealed on Instagram on Saturday (22 April) that he was cut from the team competing in the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia from 5 to 17 May.

Even though he was part of the team that won Singapore’s first gold SEA Games medal in the team epee event.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Samson Lee 李文豪 (@samsonlee.lmh)

In the post, Lee, 36, wrote about how he “rightfully qualified for [his] Individual and Team spot” but was “withdrawn by the association” for the SEA Games after missing three training sessions.

Lee, who founded SG Academy of Fencing, said that he “sacrificed time, resources & rest to earn my spot, juggling between running SGF, coaching & training in preparation for the SEA Games” and tried to train as much as possible due to his discipline and commitment.

Explained that He Missed Training Due to Father’s Hospitalisation and Wife Giving Birth

With regards to his absence, he wrote, “I’ve explained how these [three] training sessions happen to fall within one of the most busy and tough [periods], and explained how my training and preparation is not affected even if there is much going on.”

According to CNA, he had missed the three sessions due to his father’s hospitalisation and his wife giving birth.

“But it is easy for them to vote against someone who is working so hard juggling everything whilst going through one of the most tiring [periods] of his life, when they don’t have to say no to his face in person. It is easier for them to vote no, because it’s simpler to follow the book than to try [and] understand and support an athlete that has dedicated so much of his time and life to this sport,” he commented.

Lee then ended his post by lamenting that his efforts put into preparing for the SEA Games over the past year or so had all gone to waste, but also pointed out that he would now be able to spend more time with his family.

Fencing Singapore’s Statement

After Lee’s post made its way around the internet, Fencing Singapore released a statement yesterday (27 April) saying that the association has been “flexible” with granting exceptions to fencers who are facing “special circumstances”.

“In such cases, upon being informed, Fencing Singapore explores alternative arrangements to support the fencer’s needs, subject to sufficient lead time,” the association explained.

However, despite their “full consideration”, they were unable to make such arrangements for Lee after going through the “due processes” and said that this was due to the fact that the SEA Games will be starting soon in May.

Apart from that, Fencing Singapore pointed out that other national team members who knew about the training requirements and “would have [had] rightful expectations of taking Mr Lee’s place” needed to be taken into consideration as well.

Despite this, the association said that they would still support Lee’s career beyond the SEA Games.

No Replacement for Lee in Team Event

As for who will be taking Lee’s place, Fencing Singapore stated that they would not be sending a replacement for Lee in the team event.

The association also told The Straits Times that the newly confirmed team for the men’s epee event consists of Bron Sheum, Si To Jian Tong and Simon Lee. The latter two represented Singapore when the team won team gold in Hanoi last year.

As for the individual event, Fencing Singapore said that they would be sending a replacement who “has met the necessary training requirements”.

SNOC’s Response

When speaking to CNA, the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) said Si To Jian Tong will be replacing Lee in the individual event.

As for why there will not be a replacement for the team event, SNOC explained that the replacement request sent to them “did not meet the criteria” of the SEA Games’ organisers.

SNOC then emphasised that athletes chosen to represent Singapore must meet the criteria set by national sports associations (NSAs) and the SNOC, the latter of which determines which athletes will receive endorsements for large-scale sports competitions.

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Lee: “Just to Share My Situation and Move On”

Almost a week after his initial post, Lee uploaded another photo of him in fencing gear with an updated caption.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Samson Lee 李文豪 (@samsonlee.lmh)

In the caption, he claimed that his earlier post “wasn’t meant to be a fight”.

Instead, he had posted it “just to share [his] situation and move on”.

“Sometimes we might put in [a lot] of effort in something, and it just doesn’t work out.

“That’s life, we learn, digest, accept and move on. Nothing can be changed,” Lee reflected.

He then thanked those who offered him encouragement and support during this period of time.

“It really means a lot to me and I truly appreciate it,” he concluded.