“Samson Lee Excluded from SEA Games Squad After Missing Training for Family Commitments “

SINGAPORE — Veteran fencer Samson Lee announced on Instagram on April 22 that he will not be participating in the upcoming SEA Games in Cambodia, having been dropped from the squad by Fencing Singapore despite having ‘rightfully qualified’ for both individual and team events.

Lee expressed his disappointment in a heartfelt post, stating, “My hard work, preparation, training, and competition results from the past year leading up to this month, all for nothing.” He felt that missing three training sessions overshadowed all the effort he had invested in preparing for the SEA Games, which he has been gearing up for over the past year.

According to reports from the Straits Times, Lee missed these training sessions due to the birth of his newborn, his father’s hospitalization, and work commitments. As part of the team that secured Singapore’s first men’s gold medal at the previous SEA Games, Lee detailed on Instagram the sacrifices he made, balancing the demands of running his fencing academy, coaching, and his own training leading up to the event.

“Many times, after a long day of coaching, I begin my training when others are getting ready for bed because I understand the discipline and commitment required to prepare myself well. Whatever time I can find, no matter how inconvenient or late, I am committed to training,” he shared.

Yet, he lamented that due to missing three training sessions, he was withdrawn from the upcoming games. “Even after explaining my situation and declaring my commitment, it was not enough for them,” said the 35-year-old, who is also the founder of SG Academy of Fencing. He emphasized that those missed sessions coincided with one of the busiest and most challenging periods of his life and reassured that his training and preparation had not been compromised.