Olympics: Catantan ‘looking forward’ to being with Esteban in Paris Games | ABS-CBN
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Olympics: Catantan ‘looking forward’ to being with Esteban in Paris Games
Olympics: Catantan ‘looking forward’ to being with Esteban in Paris Games
Filipino fencing athlete Samantha Catantan practices for the Southeast Asian Games with the Philippine Fencing Team at the Philippine Sports Institute at the Ultra in Pasig City on November 12, 2019. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File
Filipino fencing athlete Samantha Catantan practices for the Southeast Asian Games with the Philippine Fencing Team at the Philippine Sports Institute at the Ultra in Pasig City on November 12, 2019. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/FileMANILA — Samantha Kyle Catantan ended the 32-year wait for a Filipino fencer to qualify for the Olympic Games by winning gold at the 2024 Asia-Oceanic Zonal Olympic Qualifier for women's foil in the United Arab Emirates last month.
MANILA — Samantha Kyle Catantan ended the 32-year wait for a Filipino fencer to qualify for the Olympic Games by winning gold at the 2024 Asia-Oceanic Zonal Olympic Qualifier for women's foil in the United Arab Emirates last month.
The former UAAP juniors standout follows in the footsteps of Walter Torres, who also competed in foil at the 1992 Games in Barcelona, Spain.
The former UAAP juniors standout follows in the footsteps of Walter Torres, who also competed in foil at the 1992 Games in Barcelona, Spain.
Ironically, she may face fellow Filipina fencer Maxine Esteban, who now represents Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), in the upcoming Olympics.
Ironically, she may face fellow Filipina fencer Maxine Esteban, who now represents Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), in the upcoming Olympics.
Sam expressed her excitement about potentially seeing her former teammate at the Summer Games.
Sam expressed her excitement about potentially seeing her former teammate at the Summer Games.
“I’m more looking forward to be there with her kasi po hindi lang isang Filipina ang nandun for the fence po kasi matagal ko na po na teammate si Maxine. She is a hard worker po, alam ko na isa rin po siya sa mga deserving to be there. I’m just really looking forward to be there with her,” she said
“I’m more looking forward to be there with her kasi po hindi lang isang Filipina ang nandun for the fence po kasi matagal ko na po na teammate si Maxine. She is a hard worker po, alam ko na isa rin po siya sa mga deserving to be there. I’m just really looking forward to be there with her,” she said
According to Sam’s coach, Amat Canlas, who is also Maxine’s former mentor, both fencers learned the sport together.
According to Sam’s coach, Amat Canlas, who is also Maxine’s former mentor, both fencers learned the sport together.
“Talagang mag teammate sila, bata pa lang sa age group magkasama sila hanggang sa national team. Sabay pumasok eh, talagang teammate yan mag-best friend talaga eh. Talagang nag-iba lang sila ng landas kasi parehas nila pangarap,” he said
“Talagang mag teammate sila, bata pa lang sa age group magkasama sila hanggang sa national team. Sabay pumasok eh, talagang teammate yan mag-best friend talaga eh. Talagang nag-iba lang sila ng landas kasi parehas nila pangarap,” he said
If they do meet during the Paris Olympics, whatever the result, both are winners.
If they do meet during the Paris Olympics, whatever the result, both are winners.
Both fencers have had similar journeys, as both Sam and Maxine suffered career-threatening ACL injuries.
Both fencers have had similar journeys, as both Sam and Maxine suffered career-threatening ACL injuries.
“Masaya ako kasi totoo naman nag-dream kami lahat 'yan. Parehas sila, tatlo kami nangarap sa Olympics so happy ako parehas sila nakuha. So anuman, what happens sa Paris, magkatapat man sila o hindi, winner na kami tatlo,” Canlas said
“Masaya ako kasi totoo naman nag-dream kami lahat 'yan. Parehas sila, tatlo kami nangarap sa Olympics so happy ako parehas sila nakuha. So anuman, what happens sa Paris, magkatapat man sila o hindi, winner na kami tatlo,” Canlas said
Sam led the University of the East Juniors team to six of the nine straight championships before moving overseas to become the captain of Penn State's fencing team.
Sam led the University of the East Juniors team to six of the nine straight championships before moving overseas to become the captain of Penn State's fencing team.
She returned to Manila on Monday morning to reunite with her family after months of training and was greeted by students from UE as well as by aspiring young fencers from the Quezon City Sep Fencing program, which she joined at age nine.
She returned to Manila on Monday morning to reunite with her family after months of training and was greeted by students from UE as well as by aspiring young fencers from the Quezon City Sep Fencing program, which she joined at age nine.
Sam and her team plan to take a well-deserved break before resuming their training for the Olympics.
Sam and her team plan to take a well-deserved break before resuming their training for the Olympics.
“Mag ti-train pa po with Coach Canlas together with the national team for two weeks before going to Venice for a two-week camp,” she said.
“Mag ti-train pa po with Coach Canlas together with the national team for two weeks before going to Venice for a two-week camp,” she said.
However, her coach said they decided to skip the Asian Fencing Championships this June.
However, her coach said they decided to skip the Asian Fencing Championships this June.
“May mga competition pa kami na dapat daanan. Sabi ko nga na 'wag na sumali sa Asian championships. Mag-focus na lang sa training kasi baka ma-disgrasya pa dun eh.” Canlas said.
“May mga competition pa kami na dapat daanan. Sabi ko nga na 'wag na sumali sa Asian championships. Mag-focus na lang sa training kasi baka ma-disgrasya pa dun eh.” Canlas said.
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