Catantan bows out in style

PARIS – Fencer Samantha Catantan put up a brave stand and a good fight. But it wasn’t enough.

Catantan got past Brazilian rival Mariana Pistoia in a dramatic come-from-behind 15-13 win but then saw the end of her Paris Olympics journey in a 12-15 loss to Italian two-time world champion Arianna Errigo in Round of 32 of women’s foil competition.

After making history with a triumphant Olympic debut versus Pistoia on the Grand Palais piste, Catantan braved on but came up short versus Errigo and became the first casualty for the 22-strong Philippine team in the 33rd Olympic Games.

Meanwhile, Filipina-Ivorian Maxine Esteban also failed to get past the Round of 32, falling to a 7-15 loss to French bet and Tokyo silver medalist Pauline Ranvier.

“I know for a fact that coming here I wasn’t as ready as my opponents kasi kakagaling ko lang ng injury and nag-start lang ako February. Pero I was really happy with the way I fenced today,” Cantantan said in an interview on One Sports.

“I’m very honored na I’m able to fence her (Errigo). I’m very blessed that I was able to give my best. Unfortunately, talagang kinapos, eh,” she said.

Proving too tough to handle for Catantan was Errigo, a seasoned bet with an Olympic team gold, individual silver and team bronze in her vast treasure chest.

The 36-year-old Errigo, who started fencing at age six, is also a holder of two Euro championship titles and is among the fancied bets in this Paris competition.

But Catantan, a Penn State ace, was hardly intimidated. She stood her ground, fighting Errigo tooth and nail in the first period then, after falling behind by four at the end of Period 2, clawed to within two, 12-14, with over a minute left in the match.

It was a fierce duel marked by red cards issued to both fencers.

Shortly after, Errigo came through with the winning touch to end Catantan’s Paris drive.

Earlier, Catantan drew attention in overcoming an injury scare and a three-point deficit to stun Pistoia.

The Filipino fencer’s coach, Rolando Canlas, predicted her victory before the match, stating that Pistoia was not a regular participant in world competitions. Canlas and Catantan’s Italian coach, Matteo Zenarro, worked together to prepare for the match.

“Inaral namin ang laro ng Brazilian,” said Canlas, before Catantan went to practice on Saturday.

Of course, Catantan wanted to go all the way to the medal play. She was three wins short.