Samantha Kyle Catantan booked the Philippines’ 12th slot to the Paris Olympics and ended the country’s three-decade absence in fencing.
Catantan beat Kazakhstan’s Sofia Aktayeva, 15-14, in the women’s foil final of the Asia-Oceania Zonal Olympic Qualifier in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates on Saturday to make it to the Summer Games slated July 26 to Aug. 11.
On her way to the finals, the 22-year-old outclassed Israa Al Siyabi of Oman in the quarterfinals, 15-4; and stunned world No. 34 Hong Se-na of Korea l in the semifinals,15-3.
“I can’t thank my family, friends, coaches, teammates, and everyone who supported me enough. But most importantly, I want to thank everyone who never left my side – those who believed in me when I had doubt, pushed me when I felt weak, and celebrated with me through every progress and setback,” Catantan posted on Facebook on April 25.
Walter Torres, the last Filipino fencer in the Olympics, competed in the 1992 Barcelona Games.
Catantan’s feat was also a boost to the Philippine Fencing Association (PFA), which was accused of being “unfair and unjust” after former Ateneo de Manila standout Maxine Esteban opted to become a citizen of Ivory Coast to achieve her Olympic dream.
Esteban, 23, qualified for the African continental zone.
The PFA previously released a statement that Catantan has produced better results in international tournaments since 2017.
Catantan played for the University of the East (UE) high school team and led the Junior Warriors to a ninth straight title in her final year in 2020.
She was Most Valuable Player in all her five years with UE in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.
She went on to secure a full scholarship with Pennsylvania State University in the United States and played in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division 1.
In 2022, she delivered a gold in the Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam.
The other 11 Filipino Olympians are pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena; boxers Eumir Felix Marcial, Nesthy Petecio, and Aira Villegas; weightlifters Vanessa Sarno, Erleen Ann Ando, and John Febuar Ceniza; gymnasts Carlos Yulo, Aleah Finnegan, and LeVi Jung-Ruivivar; and rower Joanie Delgaco.
Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino praised Catantan for rising beyond adversity and proving herself deserving of the Paris spot.
“She really fought for it to the end and I’m really happy to see her success just like the other Paris-bound Filipino athletes before her,” Tolentino said in a statement. (With a report from Jean Malanum)
