Despite the early exit, Sam Catantan was pleased with her performance, especially with the Olympics being her biggest tournament yet following full recovery from a torn ACL last year.
Sam Catantan’s first Olympic journey has come to an end, following her loss to world no. 2 Arianna Errigo of Italy in table 32 of the women’s individual foil in Paris 2024 Sunday (PHL time).
Despite the early exit, Catantan was pleased with her performance, especially with the Olympics being her biggest tournament yet following full recovery from a torn ACL last year.
“I know for a fact that coming here I wasn’t as ready as my opponents kasi kakagaling ko lang ng injury and nag-start lang ako by February, pero I was really happy with the way I fenced today,” she said.
“I’m very honored na I’m able to fence her. I’m very blessed that I was able to give my best. Unfortunately, talagang kinapos eh,” Catantan added, making sure to relish the opportunity of matching up with Erriga, who is actually the no. 1 seed in the Olympics ahead of world no. 1 Lee Kiefer of Team USA.
While her performance in two matches evoked inspiration, Catantan is not leaving Paris without some unanswered questions.
In her debut win against Brazil’s Mariana Pistoia, Sam tweaked her knee and early in the match and was essentially limited for the rest of her tournament.
The setback forced her to make quick adjustments, adjustments that almost scored the upset win of her young career.
“I have a problem with my meniscus right now after the first match, hopefully hindi napunit or anything. Medyo loose yung tuhod kay medyo hesitant ako to attack, I was waiting for my opponent to finish her attack para makatusok ako without pushing my back leg too much,” she said.
“But I’m very happy na dikit yung laban, unfortunately sayang talaga,” Catantan added.
Updates on her knee aside, returning to the US is what’s next for Sam, where she will finish her education and collegiate fencing career with Penn State.
The promising Filipina fencer vows to return to the Olympic Games, which will be hosted by Los Angeles next in 2028.
“After my bout, I’m ready to work again for the next Olympics,” she said.
“After this I’m going back to the US kasi graduating po ako. So I have my graduation and after that my last season of NCAA is coming.”
(With reports from Carlo Pamintuan/One Sports)