Filipino-Ivorian Maxine Esteban is world no. 27 in foil fencing. She is also a Mythic in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and an Immortal in DOTA 2.
Anything we can do, Maxine Esteban can probably do better.
From competing in the Olympic Games Paris 2024 as the world’s 27th-ranked fencer, to achieving summa cum laude honors at the University of Pennsylvania, Maxine Esteban seems to manifest the qualities of a five-star character in MOBA games—except she’s not fictional.
The 23-year-old fencing star has also shown power in the world of gaming, achieving a mythic glory rank in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) *and* Immortal in DOTA 2, both the highest ranks you can attain in each game.
Yes, you read that right—Esteban is not just an Olympic fencer; she is also a top-tier gamer. Actually, “top-tier” might be underselling Maxine.
In an interview with One Sports, Esteban shared how her passion for gaming started.
"I started playing DOTA during the pandemic because wala kaming magawa sa bahay, so my Dad invited me to play DOTA and actually before he already taught me how,” the Fil-Ivorian Olympian recalled.
“But we weren’t as active [then] as we were during the pandemic, kasi during the pandemic we played hanggang 5:00 a.m.,” she added.
While Maxine’s DOTA 2 journey began through her dad, her MLBB story started in a different way.
It still involved family though.
"We were in Germany kasi [and] I saw my sister playing tapos nagselos ako kasi never siyang may time for me eh,” Esteban revealed.
“So I said I’ll play na lang with you so I started playing with her.”
But how does Maxine manage to attain and maintin such high ranks in both games despite her demanding schedule as an Olympic athlete?
"I just play pag may time," Esteban explained.
"During the Olympic season, kapag may break, pero now that the Olympics season is done, I play more often."
When asked about her favorite heroes in the games, Esteban was quick to answer.
"In MLBB, my favorite heroes are Nana and Vexana. I’m a Vexana spammer," she shared.
"In DOTA 2, it’s Windranger or Ogre Magi."
It is also worthy to note that Esteban sees gaming as more than just a hobby. In fact, it helps her improve as an athlete.
"I think for gaming, it’s a lot like sports kasi syempre kailangan mong mag-isip ng marami and you really have to have mental strategy,” Maxine said.
“So I think it also helps me in sports kasi it makes my reflexes faster, tapos it also helps me strategize more.” she added.
Given her achievements in both fencing and gaming, would Esteban consider a career as a professional gamer if she weren’t already a top fencer?
"Yeah actually, I wanted to become a pro gamer and I also started streaming during the pandemic but then I stopped when I had to start training again.”
Maxine Esteban’s wide range of talents prove that excellence is not confined to one field, and while the world knows her as an Olympic fencer, in another reality, she just might be the next big name in esports.