Catantan aims for spot in Paris Olympics
THREE years ago, Samantha Catantan came within two wins away from making it to the Tokyo Olympics but fell short.
This time, she will try to complete her mission and fulfill her dream.
This time, she is bringing with her the experience and skills she gained in the past three years as she aims for a spot in the Paris Olympics via the Asian Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) on April 27 to 28 in Fujairah, United
Arab Emirates.
“I wasn’t able to make it the first time I tried (for an Olympic berth),” said Catantan. “Hopefully that experience helps me when — again — try my very best to earn a spot in the Paris Olympics.”
In 2021, Catantan had a solid shot when she advanced to the semifinal round of the Asian OQT in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. However, she lost 15-10 to hometown bet Yana Alborova, a Russian naturalized by Uzbekistan.
Alborova lost to Singapore’s Amita Berthier in the finals 15-14 as the latter claimed the lone Asian spot in the Tokyo Olympics.
The format for this year’s OQT will be the same as the 2021 meet as only the winning fencer — or the one finishing on top — will claim a spot in the Olympics. The format applies in the men’s and women’s divisions in the three weapons — foil, epee and sabre.
Aside from Catantan, the Philippines’ top women’s foil fencer, three other Filipino fencers will see action in the Asian OQT, namely, Nathaniel Perez for men’s foil, Noelito Jose for men’s epee and Hanniel Abella for women’s epee.
In women’s foil, 31 of the 35 slots have already been secured.
The top eight teams — based on team events in the world — have earned three spots each in the Paris Olympics, and these are Italy, USA, France, Japan, Canada, China, Poland and Egypt. As host, France has an additional fourth spot under the guideline.
There are also six slots based on Zonal Highest FIE Ranking that have been decided, as Asia got two with Singapore and Hong Kong, Europe also two with Germany and Hungary, Africa one with Ivory Coast and South America one with Chile.
The OQT, aside from Asia, will likewise offer one slot each in Europe, America, Africa and the host nation France.
In Asia, expected to give Catantan a tough fight is Hong Sena from South Korea, while — according to reports — it remains a toss up if Uzbekistan will send Alborova or Umida Ilyosova in the OQT.
Another key in Catantan’s participation in the Asian OQT this year is her health as the injury she suffered during the semifinals of the Cambodia Southeast Asian Games last year no longer bothers her following a strong showing in the US NCAA Fencing Championship late last month.
The 22-year-old Catantan finished 10th overall out of the 24 college fencers in the US NCAA.
“No pain ... My knee’s fine. I think more than the result, I’m thankful to the Lord that everything is OK, I felt nothing, no pain,” she said.