Fencer Sam Catantan and national team coach Amat Canlas go a long way back. Now, they made it to the Paris Olympics.
More often than not, a relationship between an athlete and a coach gradually develops into something familial after going through multiple battles.
That could not be any truer for Filipino Olympian Sam Catantan.
The 22-year-old fencer said national team coach Amat Canlas has served as a father figure for her since they crossed paths many years ago.
[ALSO READ: Pinay fencer Sam Catantan recalls ACL injury, tough Paris 2024 journey]
Together, they dreamt about making the Olympics one day.
They failed together. They stood back up together. They won medals in various competitions like the Southeast Asian Games and the UAAP together.
Now, they are about to set foot on sports’ grandest stage together.
“Iba talaga 'pag father figure 'yung nandiyan para sa'yo. Pareho namin 'tong pangarap. 'Pag nandiyan talaga ang suporta nila sa likod mo, 'yung mga pangarap mo, pataas nang pataas,” said Catantan.
“Over the years, mas nabibigyan po ako ng motivation to train harder para po makamit 'yung pangarap ko para sa sarili ko at sa bansa po natin.”
This partnership between Canlas and Catantan started at the University of the East where Canlas was also the fencing head coach.
As a member of the juniors team, Catantan won five straight Most Valuable Player awards while helping UE capture nine straight championships in the UAAP.
But just when Catantan was about to make the jump to college where she was also expected to dominate, an opportunity to play for US NCAA school Pennsylvania State University came.
Even Canlas knew it was an opportunity too hard to pass up, so he let his ward go.
But while they are thousands of miles apart, his fondness for his mentee has never waned. In fact, it has only grown stronger over the years.
“Si Sam, kahit pumunta na siya ng US, lagi kaming magka-message. Lahat ng ginagawa niya, sinasabi niya sa'kin. Noong na-injure siya sa finals, tumawag sa'kin, naiiyak,” Canlas said.
[ALSO READ: No injury can shatter dreams: Sam Catantan defies the odds for Paris 2024]
That was why Catantan could not hide her excitement when she reunited with her former coach in Metz, France in the final phase of her preparations for the Paris Olympics.
“I’m very happy po. Finally, nandito na siya. We have a really great relationship po talaga and naggu-grow po every time nagkikita kami,” said Catantan, who was so excited she made her way to the train station to welcome her mentor.
The feeling was mutual for Canlas, who shared he discovered the young talent when she was still nine years old.
“Para ko nang anak 'to. Tumatayo ang balahibo ko. Dream kong makapasok kami sa Olympics. At ito na 'yun, nakarating na kami sa Olympics,” Canlas said.
“From nothing kami to something. Itong narating namin na ‘to, hindi basta-basta. Marami kaming ups and downs. Kay Sam nagsimula ang dream naming makarating sa Olympics,” he added.
Now that their dream of making the quadrennial showpiece came true, Catantan and Canlas will shift their focus on winning a medal for the country.
(With reports from Denise Tan/Cignal TV)
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Story Summary:
- Filipino Olympian Sam Catantan and coach Amat Canlas share a deep familial bond that began at the University of the East and evolved through triumphs and setbacks.
- Their journey includes multiple victories in competitions like the Southeast Asian Games and the UAAP, culminating in their shared dream of reaching and competing in the Olympics.
- Even as Catantan went to the US for NCAA fencing, their mentor-mentee relationship remained strong, with Canlas continuing to support her journey towards Paris 2024.
[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.]