Paris 2024: No injury can hold back Sam Catantan's love for fencing | ABS-CBN
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Paris 2024: No injury can hold back Sam Catantan's love for fencing
Paris 2024: No injury can hold back Sam Catantan's love for fencing
Kennedy Caacbay,
ABS-CBN News
Published Jul 11, 2024 09:00 AM PHT
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Updated Jul 23, 2024 09:08 PM PHT
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 – Filipina fencer Sam Catantan made history as she ended the Philippines' 32-year wait for an Olympic berth in fencing after winning the Asia-Oceania Zonal Olympic Qualifier in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates last April 27.
The last Filipino fencer to qualify for the Olympics was Walter Torres during the 1992 Games in Barcelona, Spain.
The last Filipino fencer to qualify for the Olympics was Walter Torres during the 1992 Games in Barcelona, Spain.
Not only that, in a stunning show of perseverance and resiliency, Catantan overcame her ACL injury en route to achieving her dream of playing on the biggest sporting stage in the world.
Not only that, in a stunning show of perseverance and resiliency, Catantan overcame her ACL injury en route to achieving her dream of playing on the biggest sporting stage in the world.
Catantan, now 22, was introduced to fencing when she was nine years old thanks to the Quezon City Sports Enhancement Program of councilor Joseph Juico.
Catantan, now 22, was introduced to fencing when she was nine years old thanks to the Quezon City Sports Enhancement Program of councilor Joseph Juico.
"Ang QC SEP fencing team po talaga malaki po ang naitulong sa akin ito po yung unang-unang program talaga na nag-open po ng doors of opportunities for me to be able po to compete in tournaments and to be able to get a scholarship in different UAAP schools dito po sa Manila," she said.
"Ang QC SEP fencing team po talaga malaki po ang naitulong sa akin ito po yung unang-unang program talaga na nag-open po ng doors of opportunities for me to be able po to compete in tournaments and to be able to get a scholarship in different UAAP schools dito po sa Manila," she said.
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"Nag-start po ako when I was 9 years old. I was very lucky po because at that time nagtatrabaho po yung lolo ko sa barangay po namin. And ang QCSEP fencing po kasi nagte-training po kami before sa iba’t ibang barangay halls po kung ano po yung available or sa mga basketball courts po ng iba’t ibang public schools po dito po," she added.
"Nag-start po ako when I was 9 years old. I was very lucky po because at that time nagtatrabaho po yung lolo ko sa barangay po namin. And ang QCSEP fencing po kasi nagte-training po kami before sa iba’t ibang barangay halls po kung ano po yung available or sa mga basketball courts po ng iba’t ibang public schools po dito po," she added.
She studied high school at the University of the East, where she was also named UAAP MVP for the UE Junior Warriors. Ex-Philippine fencing team head coach Rolando Canlas supervised her growth.
She studied high school at the University of the East, where she was also named UAAP MVP for the UE Junior Warriors. Ex-Philippine fencing team head coach Rolando Canlas supervised her growth.
Catantan first made her name known on the international stage after a silver medal finish at the 2017 Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, at the young age of 15.
Catantan first made her name known on the international stage after a silver medal finish at the 2017 Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, at the young age of 15.
She would improve on that placement later on, and win the gold for the country in the individual women's foil at the 31st SEA Games in Hanoi, Vietnam.
She would improve on that placement later on, and win the gold for the country in the individual women's foil at the 31st SEA Games in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Catantan would eventually be recruited by the Pennsylvania State University, which participates in the US NCAA. Her talents were acknowledged there after winning MVP of the school for season 2021.
Catantan would eventually be recruited by the Pennsylvania State University, which participates in the US NCAA. Her talents were acknowledged there after winning MVP of the school for season 2021.
Catantan, representing Penn State, also recently advanced to the 2024 US NCAA Fencing Championship and finished 10th out of the best 24 fencers in the US.
Catantan, representing Penn State, also recently advanced to the 2024 US NCAA Fencing Championship and finished 10th out of the best 24 fencers in the US.
However, an unfortunate setback held Catantan's progress as she suffered an ACL injury during her title defense at the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia.
However, an unfortunate setback held Catantan's progress as she suffered an ACL injury during her title defense at the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia.
She underwent rehabilitation for 10 months, and even revealed that she did "other things" such as hand work to gain her strength back.
She underwent rehabilitation for 10 months, and even revealed that she did "other things" such as hand work to gain her strength back.
"Since po nung dumating ako dito, I started doing my rehab, my physical therapy. So I did my surgery po [nung] June, and then I came back here around August. And then ever since I was doing my rehab and strength conditioning," she said.
"Since po nung dumating ako dito, I started doing my rehab, my physical therapy. So I did my surgery po [nung] June, and then I came back here around August. And then ever since I was doing my rehab and strength conditioning," she said.
"At the same time, I was doing fencing while sitting down. So nagwa-one-on-one lesson po ako with my coaches just to maintain po 'yung strength ng kamay ko and hand works. So ever since my injury... kahit 'di po ako makapag-fencing I was still trying to do other things that I can do to gain my strength back."
"At the same time, I was doing fencing while sitting down. So nagwa-one-on-one lesson po ako with my coaches just to maintain po 'yung strength ng kamay ko and hand works. So ever since my injury... kahit 'di po ako makapag-fencing I was still trying to do other things that I can do to gain my strength back."
Catantan also shared that her mentors in Penn State helped the Pinay fencer regain her form.
Catantan also shared that her mentors in Penn State helped the Pinay fencer regain her form.
"And even the coaches here in Penn State, they've been helping a lot to fence competitively again and also I joined like a lot of tournaments before going to qualifying in Dubai."
"And even the coaches here in Penn State, they've been helping a lot to fence competitively again and also I joined like a lot of tournaments before going to qualifying in Dubai."
No injury would hamper Sam as she expressed "more" love for the sport after her recovery.
No injury would hamper Sam as she expressed "more" love for the sport after her recovery.
"Actually since after surgery po, I feel that I love fencing more. I also feel that I just started fencing," she said.
"Actually since after surgery po, I feel that I love fencing more. I also feel that I just started fencing," she said.
"So every time I train and I go to tournaments, I'm very excited and for me po as of now, like less stressful siya for me, because I just got back from the injury so I have no expectations every time I come to the strip but at the same time I always give my best and it's more just enjoyable for me, which I think helps me a lot."
"So every time I train and I go to tournaments, I'm very excited and for me po as of now, like less stressful siya for me, because I just got back from the injury so I have no expectations every time I come to the strip but at the same time I always give my best and it's more just enjoyable for me, which I think helps me a lot."
"I won't stop until of course I make it to the Olympics," she concluded her statement in an interview with ABS-CBN News before the qualifiers.
"I won't stop until of course I make it to the Olympics," she concluded her statement in an interview with ABS-CBN News before the qualifiers.
And Sam made it.
And Sam made it.
She is part of the 22-strong Olympian contingent of the Philippines to Paris, carrying the hopes of Pinoys for a shot at the gold medal in fencing.
She is part of the 22-strong Olympian contingent of the Philippines to Paris, carrying the hopes of Pinoys for a shot at the gold medal in fencing.
The former UAAP juniors MVP could possibly face her pal Maxine Esteban at the Summer Games, who now represents Ivory Coast.
The former UAAP juniors MVP could possibly face her pal Maxine Esteban at the Summer Games, who now represents Ivory Coast.
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Samantha Kyle Catantan
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