THERE is a good chance for Filipino fencers Samantha Catantan and Maxine Esteban to face each other at the 2024 Paris Olympics in July.
Catantan is representing the Philippines in the Games while Esteban is fencing for Ivory Coast as a naturalized athlete.
Whether it be in the elimination round or in the final, Esteban said it would be an honor to fence against her friend and former Philippine national fencing teammate.
"Everyone who qualified in the Olympics, they're all really good fencers. Just like Sam (Catantan), she would be a worthy fencer to fence against. It would be an honor to fence against her," said Esteban in an interview with reporters at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum on Thursday.
Esteban was one of the 4,945 fans who cheered for Alas Pilipinas in its 22-25, 25-19, 25-16, 25-21 triumph over Australia in the AVC Challenge Cup.
"I'm really looking forward (fencing against Catantan), if ever that time comes, but hopefully we won't face each other in the early stages and you know maybe (hopefully), we meet at the Finals," Esteban said.
Esteban secured an Olympic spot by virtue of being the highest ranked FIE fencer in the African zone while Catantan booked a ticket by topping the women's foil event at the Asian & Oceania Olympic Qualification Tournament in Dubai last April.
In the process, the 22-year-old Catantan ended the 32-year drought for Philippine fencing in the Olympic stage.
Despite representing a different nation in Paris, the 23-year-old Esteban said that the Filipino support for her is still strong and she is grateful for every bit of it.
Esteban, whose rift against the Philippine Fencing Association (PFA) led her to switching nationalities last year, said she will always be a Filipino "no matter what."
"I'm very thankful that people are still supporting me and I hope that they still continue to support not only me but the rest of the Philippine delegation going to the Olympics," said Esteban.
"I'm very proud because I think coming into the Olympics, I'm representing both countries: the Philippines and Ivory Coast. You know, you can really never take away the Filipino in me and I will forever be Filipino."
Esteban slammed the PFA for unfairly dropping her from the national team while she was recovering from an ACL tear she incurred in the 2022 World Championship in Egypt.
Despite her personal beef with the PFA, Esteban said she has nothing but well wishes for Philippine fencing and Philippine sports in general.
"I hope that they can get more budget to train abroad and get more experience and compete in more competitions because I think you gain more confidence if you compete more because the talent in the Philippines is really great. I hope that they can use this talent and qualify more fencers," said Esteban.
Esteban is now based in Germany where she trains for the Olympics. However, she said she is in the country for a little break and took time off to watch Alas Pilipinas games in the AVC Challenge Cup.
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