FILE – Samantha Kyle Catantan of the Philippines (R) competes with Singapore’s Amita Marie Nicolette Berthi during the women’s foil individual final of the 29th Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in Kuala Lumpur on August 21, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Adek BERRY
MANILA, Philippines — After coming close to booking a ticket to the Tokyo Olympics, Philippine fencing star Sam Catantan has no doubt that she has what it takes to eventually make it to the Summer Games.
In the recent Asia Oceania Olympic qualifiers in Uzbekistan, Catantan was a win away from the final round but lost to hometown bet Yana Alborova in the semifinals.
“The Olympic qualifying has really become a big motivation that I can do it and that we can reach the Olympics,” said Cantantan in Filipino Tuesday during the PSA Forum.
Alborova then lost to Singapore’s Amitha Berthier in the finals for the gold and a slot in the Games.
As early as now, the 19-year-old Cantan already has the 2024 Olympics in Paris in her sights.
Though, she also knows she can’t entirely lose focus on what’s next with the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam slated in November.
Catantan, who is coming off an impressive freshman season at Penn State University, will compete in the SEA Games qualifying tournament in Ormoc next month.
“The moment I arrived here at Penn State, I saw how the Americans and other fencers from another country play and they play with such high confidence. And believing in yourself, in your game and your coaches really makes a big difference,” she said.