Samantha Cantantan is fully focused on her preparations for the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
Filipina fencer Samantha Catantan is playing the smart route ahead of the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
Catantan, who was initially set to compete in the 2024 Asian Fencing Championships in Kuwait from June 21 to 27, has strategically decided to forgo the event, redirecting her focus towards Olympic preparations.
“The reason why we're not going to the Asian Fencing Championships kasi we want to focus on training more,” Catantan told One Sports.
“Medyo may days na ma-waste for travel instead of mag-training na lang and compete with my other competitors,” she added.
The 22-year-old Catantan secured her Olympic slot after bagging the gold medal in the women’s foil of the Asia-Oceania Zonal Olympic Qualifier last April in the United Arab Emirates.
Catantan scored a dramatic 15-14 decision in the finale over Sofiya Aktayeva of Kazakhstan, becoming the first Filipino fencer to make it to the Olympics in 32 years.
[ALSO READ: Pinay fencer Sam Catantan recalls ACL injury, tough Paris 2024 journey]
Despite missing out on the tournament, Cantantan will still have a busy schedule, as she is set to leave the Philippines to train abroad.
“I'm actually going to Italy next week for about two weeks to train there with my Penn State Italian coach [Matteo Zennaro],” said Catantan.
“After that, we're going to Metz, France, to train with the whole Philippine delegation sa Metz, France,” she added.
[ALSO READ: Olympics-bound Sam Catantan believes Filipinos possess traits to succeed in fencing]