Paris 2024-bound Sam Catantan marvels on these defining local traits that can help Filipinos achieve greater heights in the fencing world.
Olympic Games-bound fencer Sam Catantan finds similarities in basic Filipino traits that can be used in fencing in order to be successful in the sport.
Catantan believes that Filipinos possess what it takes to succeed in fencing, emphasizing the traits of being resourceful, industrious, and being hard workers, among others, that could propel the aspiring fencers to grow in the sport.
“Madiskarte po kasi tayong mga Pilipino and talaga pong masipag at matiyaga tayo. Nasa’tin po yung traits na kailangan para po gumaling ka sa fencing,” said the 22-year-old athlete in a one-on-one interview with Dzi Gervacio on Pilipinas Live's Starting Lineup.
After becoming the first Filipino fencer to qualify for the Olympic Games since Walter Torres competed in the 1992 Barcelona Games, Catantan shares she looks forward to witnessing an ever-growing fencing community in the country, revealing she always believed that we could compete among the very best the world has to offer.
[ALSO READ: Sam Catantan is first Filipino fencer in the Olympics in 32 years]
“I’m looking forward po na lumaki pa yung fencing community natin sa Pilipinas and mas marami pa pong bata ang mag-join and mag-try to compete to fence for the Philippines. Kasi, talagang feel ko po may chance po talaga tayo na makuha ng medals sa mga international tournaments.”
The Penn State standout and former UAAP juniors MVP with UE even looked back from her humble beginnings, baring her fencing journey started when she joined a free fencing program and eventually found the right people that helped her navigate through the sport.
“I just started from a free fencing program sa Quezon City. I started po for free po talaga. May mga programs po talaga satin sa Philippines na libre if we don’t have the means to do it. If you really want to do it, people are gonna help you.”
[ALSO READ: Pinay fencer Sam Catantan recalls ACL injury, tough Paris 2024 journey]
Catantan maintained high hopes that today’s generation can explore the possibility of trying the sport, with the Philippine fencing community largely growing thanks to its recent success.
“Hopefully po, yung mga bata mag try ng fencing, marami na pong mga clubs sa Pilipinas and medyo lumalaki na po yung fencing community natin and we’re very thankful po for free. People will help po, we are willing to help you,” the 32nd Southeast Asian Games silver medalist spoke.
Lastly, Catantan is just happy to represent the country in the Olympics and is grateful to all the people who are continuously supporting her journey as she looks ahead to Paris 2024.
“Aside from being honored and grateful in representing the country, I’m very happy to be able to give back to all the support that I’ve been getting, especially po sa buong fencing community sa Pilipinas.”
[ALSO READ: Sam Catantan looks forward to reuniting with former teammate Maxine Esteban in Paris Olympics]
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