From the shadow of a torn ACL, Filipina fencer Sam Catantan's comeback proves to be a historic one a she becomes the first Filipino fencer in the Olympics in over three decades.
Samantha Catantan is a fencing standout who will soon debut in the Olympics, a dream she had when she was just a little kid.
But as recently as May 2023, that dream appeared to only remain as one when she suffered a gruesome ACL injury right before her final match in the Southeast Asian Games.
The injury robbed her of the opportunity to repeat as SEA Games champion in women’s individual foil.
Sam’s passion for fencing sparked as early as nine years old. Her love for sports flourished through the unwavering support of her family and friends.
“Actually po, when I started po, I immediately loved the sport. And hindi na po talaga ako tumigil. Na-feel ko po na, it’s going to be one of my passions,” Sam told One Sports.
Even before the Olympics, Sam had already carved her name as a Philippine fencing prodigy. She was UAAP juniors MVP with the University of the East and went on to star for Penn State in the US NCAA. Her victory at the 2021 SEA Games was the Philippines’ only fencing gold in Hanoi.
But in the labyrinth of life’s unpredictability, even the mightiest can stumble.
Through all the victories and accolades, nothing quite prepared Sam for the doubt and fear she faced last year. Such is the challenge of facing a major injury.
“Mahirap po talaga kapag na-injure. And the rehab po, it’s not easy at all,” Catantan recalled.
But her love for fencing is what sprung her back into action, parrying all the pain little by little. Less than a year after her torn ACL, Sam stood tall and then lunged towards her Olympic dream, becoming the first Filipino fencer to make it to the Olympics in 32 years.
[Related: Olympics-bound Sam Catantan believes Filipinos possess traits to succeed in fencing]
“I love the sport po talaga, and I never imagined myself retiring yet,” she said.
“And of course po, my ultimate goal is to make it to the Olympics. So talaga pong even the injury won’t stop me from turning my dreams into reality.”
While Sam missed most of the Olympic qualifying tournaments due to her injury rehabilitation, her comeback story was already written.
“I was injured the whole year, I was gone the whole season so I missed the whole qualifying season for fencing,” Catantan said.
“That’s why po ‘yong only chance ko lang po is the qualifying tournament. Hindi po ako nag-join ng halos lahat ng competition for this Olympic season po. But I was able to fence last March in Washington, D.C. That was my first international tournament po coming from an injury, and the Olympic qualifying tournament po was my second international tournament po from the injury,” she added.
Sam won in dramatic fashion in the senior women’s foil competition of the Asia-Oceanic Zonal Olympic Qualifier 2024 in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates. She beat Kazakhstan’s Sofiya Aktayeva, 15-14, to secure her Paris slot.
“I feel very blessed and thankful po na I was able to represent the Philippines again on the world’s biggest stage po. And overwhelming po talaga ‘yong feeling,” Catantan shared.
Ten months ago, Sam couldn’t walk. Now, she will march into triumph, bringing Philippine fencing back to the Olympics.
“Up to now po, medyo hindi pa rin po nagsi-sink in na pupunta po ako sa Paris kasi 10 months ago po, I couldn’t even walk by myself,” recalled Sam.
“Na-realize ko po to never doubt yourself, even at the lowest points po sa buhay niyo. Kasi ano nga po, bilog ang mundo, minsan po nasa taas and nasa baba. But as long as you think positive and be faithful po, I think hindi malabong matupad po ang mga pangarap,” she added.
[Related: Samantha Catantan to skip Asian Fencing Championships, bares preparations for Paris 2024]
Wiser and stronger, a fit-again Sam would tell her younger self to be proud of the grind. After all, her previous self, even though hurt and vulnerable, set the foundation for her comeback.
“Sana proud ka sa sarili mo. And syempre ngayon, natupad mo na ang ultimate dream mo na makapasok sa Olympics. Sana hindi ka huminto mangarap.”
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Story Summary:
- Samantha Catantan, a promising star in Philippine fencing, is set to debut in the Olympics, fulfilling a lifelong aspiration despite a setback due to an ACL injury in May 2023.
- Despite missing most Olympic qualifiers due to rehabilitation, Catantan made a remarkable comeback, securing her place in Paris 2024 by winning the Asia-Oceanic Zonal Olympic Qualifier 2024 in dramatic fashion.
- Her journey reflects resilience and determination, as she overcame adversity to become the first Filipino fencer in 32 years to reach the Olympics, showcasing the power of perseverance in sports.
[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital team. The summary was generated by AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]