After her ACL injury, the journey to the Olympics seemed lost for Filipina fencer Sam Catantan. But with resilience and unwavering determination, she not only recovered but is now achieving her childhood dreams.
Sam Catantan confronted the harsh reality that her Olympic aspirations might never happen after grappling with a devastating ACL injury.
Yet, fueled by her relentless passion for fencing, she embarked on an extraordinary journey of resilience and recovery.
Countless hours of rehabilitation paid off as Sam not only rebuilt her strength, but she’s now made history after bringing back Philippine fencing in the Olympics after three decades.
The journey to Paris 2024 has been anything but easy for the 22-year-old, who will soon stand on the cusp of fulfilling her Olympic dream.
Let’s recap the defining moments of Catantan’s journey to Paris 2024.
2011 - Where it all started
Just a few months before she turned nine, young Sam had already met her first love—fencing.
In the Quezon City Sports Enhancing Program, the grassroots sports program of Quezon City District 1 councilor Joseph Juico, the sport was introduced to her.
2012-2020 - Rise of the Lady Warrior
At the age of 12, Catantan became a part of the junior team of the UE Red Warriors. Former Philippine fencing team head coach Rolando “Amat” Canlas Jr. has been her mentor.
During her rookie year, Sam has already proven her name in the fencing world with the Rookie of the Year plum in Season 77.
At 15, Catantan etched her name on the international fencing stage, proudly bringing home silver for the Philippines in the 29th Southeast Asian Games foil individual fencing tournament at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The highly decorated Pinay fencer drove the University of the East girls’ foil team to a masterful ninth-straight UAAP championship, along with her Most Valuable Player award for five straight seasons.
2021 - Seeking new horizons
The Pennsylvania State University has recruited Sam to be part of their fencing team and compete in the US NCAA. In pursuit of greater strength, Sam leaves the Red Warriors’ lair to embark on a journey of growth.
From homegrown talent, Sam shone brightly as the MVP of the Pennsylvania State University for the season 2021.
May 2022 - Golden Glory
With her newfound skills, the multi-awarded Pinay fencer made history after securing the nation’s first gold in fencing during the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam.
She had overcome Singapore’s Maxine Jie Xin Wong in the dramatic 14-12 women’s individual foil final at Hanoi Indoor Games Palace.
Yet, in the twists and turns of life’s uncertainty, even the most powerful ones can face setbacks.
May 2023 - Struck in the Battle
In a heart-wrenching turn of events during her title defense in the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia, Sam Catantan encountered a gruesome ACL injury. Rather than conceding outright, she opts to stay on the pitch for the gold medal match.
For 10 months, Sam couldn’t walk. She had already missed several Olympic qualifying tournaments for fencing.
And just when she thought her Olympic dreams were already far-fetched, her comeback story has already been rewritten with determination.
April 2024 - From agony to triumph
Ten months ago, walking was impossible.
With the power of perseverance, Sam has defeated Kazakhstan’s Sofiya Aktayeva, 15-14, in the Asia-Oceanic Zonal Olympic Qualifier 2024 in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, securing her Paris 2024 slot.
Catantan had made history once again, bringing back Philippine fencing to the Olympic stage after more than three decades.
From the depths of despair to the heights of dreams, nothing is impossible. Tenacity and resilience have carried her through the darkest moments of recovery from a gruesome injury.
Today, as she walks the path, she once believed shattered—her childhood dream of representing the Philippines at the Olympics—she carries with her the hopes and dreams of the nation, proving that with self-belief, perseverance, and the support of a community, odds can be defied.
ALSO READ: Parry to Paris: Once down but never out, Sam Catantan makes Philippine fencing history even before Olympic debut