SINGAPORE – While fencing is not offered as a co-curricular activity at CHIJ St Nicholas Girls’ School, that has not stopped Celeste Koay from winning a silver in the National School Games (NSG) B Division girls’ sabre event at the OCBC Arena on April 23.
The Secondary 4 student, who picked up the sport at the age of six, finished as runner-up after going down 15-7 in the final to Hwa Chong International’s Nicki Wong.
Her NSG journey, which also included a bronze in 2025, has been an unconventional one that was forged mostly through her own initiative, with support from her mum and school.
In Sec 1, she was initially uncertain about participating in the NSG, finding it daunting to compete without any schoolmates by her side.
But things changed in Sec 2, after learning that one of her schoolmates, Leah Wong, is also a fencer. Together, they asked their teachers to sign them up for competition.
Having Leah alongside her made a significant difference.
“I’m very close to her… It’s just the two of us… but you have someone to rely on who can understand you,” the 15-year-old added.
With no teacher-in-charge for fencing, Celeste’s mother stepped in under the School Adult Representative scheme, taking on the responsibility of accompanying and supporting both Celeste and Leah throughout the competition.
This ensured they were able to participate despite the lack of an official school structure.
Balancing her studies with her official CCA, the Infant Jesus Youth Mission, and fencing training has not been easy.
