Catantan seals Paris Olympics fencing berth

MANILA, Philippines -- Another Filipino is going to the Paris Olympics after Sam Catantan ruled the senior women’s foil competition in the Asia-Oceanic Zonal Olympic Qualifier 2024 in Fujairah, the United Arab Emirates.

Catantan defeated Kazakhstan’s Sofiya Aktayeva in the final of the competition, 15-14.

The 22-year-old had to crawl back from a 10-12 deficit. She was able to tie it up at 12, before Aktayeva got up once again, 13-12.

She tied it at 13 anew, with 1:40 remaining, but she seemed to have tweaked her left knee, which kept her out of competition for months, following a lunge.

After a few minutes of medical break, she continued. Although visibly hurting, the Filipina took the lead, 14-13, but it was erased by her Kazakh opponent.

And with 54 seconds remaining, Catantan got the gold medal-winning point.

After securing the victory, she hobbled back to her corner and later knelt to the ground as she released her emotions.

The fencer is the 12th athlete from the Philippines who has punched a ticket to the Paris Games.

She is joining pole vaulter EJ Obiena, boxers Nesthy Petecio, Aira Villegas and Eumir Marcial, gymnasts Carlos Yulo, Aleah Finnegan and Levi Ruivivar, weightlifters John Ceniza, Vanessa Sarno and Elreen Ando, and rower Joanie Delgaco.