MANILA, Philippines — Fencer Samantha Catantan declared her intentions to make an Olympic return after putting up a gallant stand at the Paris Games women's individual foil tiff.

But of course, recovery is the priority for the 22-year-old fencer who re-tore her left ACL in Paris.

Catantan is also set to take her master's degree in accounting at Penn State University where she recently graduated with a bachelor's degree of the same program.

"Of course, I really want to be in the Olympics again. And I'm gonna take my time to recover because last year, we rushed my recovery to make it to Paris and we did just that. But, the risk was there to re-tear my ACL," said Catantan, who was set for her surgery last Friday.

Catantan first injured her left ACL at the Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia in May last year.

"But for now, I really want to focus on what's in front of me, of course. The recovery right after my upcoming surgery. I'm coming back to Penn State because I'm about to start my master's degree this year and I'll try to focus on that, while recovering. And then, after that, when I graduate, I finally have time to focus on preparing for LA."

Catantan re-tore her left ACL in the round of 64 in Paris against Mariana Pistoia of Brazil but still won the match, 15-13.

She battled through the pain and pushed world no. 2 Arianna Errigo of Italy to the limit, losing by just two three points, 12-15, in the round of 32.

Catantan's impressive Olympic debut sent her from 266th to 87th in the women's foil world rankings.

"I am very happy that my ranking elevated. But with my surgery, I will miss a few tournaments and my ranking will drop anew," she said.

"But I have three more years to prepare and join more tournaments. Hopefully, my ranking will rise again."

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