Fencer Maxine Esteban wins silver ahead of Paris Olympics

Maxine Esteban, left, poses with her silver medal at the 2nd African Fencing Championships. Photo from International Fencing Federation

MANILA, Philippines—Maxine Esteban earned a silver medal in the 22nd African Fencing Championships ahead of her upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics debut.

The Filipino-Ivorian fencer fell short against Egyptian fencer Yara Elsharkawy, 8-9, in the final of the women’s individual foil event on Thursday evening (Manila time) in Casablanca, Morocco.

The 23-year-old Olympian surpassed her bronze finish last year.

READ: Maxine Esteban off to Paris Olympics carrying PH pride

“[Silver medal] in the African Championships’ 24 [in Morocco]! Missed the gold by 1 point but I’m so grateful for this! God is so gracious. Thank you so much to everyone who helped me get this!! To God be the glory,” wrote Esteban on her Instagram.

Esteban, the World No.37, will train in Poland and Paris with the Japanese national fencing team as she prepares for the Olympics.

When Esteban had a short vacation in Manila, she expressed that she is still representing both the Philippines and Ivory Coast.

READ: Samantha Catantan’s Paris ticket draws up potential clash with Esteban

“You can really never take away the Filipino in me and I will forever be Filipino,” she told the reporters when she watched the Alas Pilipinas in the AVC Challenge Cup in Rizal Memorial Coliseum last May.

The former Ateneo star is also grateful for the continuous support of the Filipinos despite her naturalization and she is looking forward to fence with her good friend and fellow Filipino Samantha Catantan in the latter round of the Olympics.

“Everyone who qualified in the Olympics, they’re all really good fencers. Just like Sam, she would be a worthy fencer to fence against. It would be an honor to fence against her. I’m really looking forward if ever that time comes,” Esteban said. “Hopefully, hindi kami magkatapat sa early stages and you know maybe magkatapat na lang kami sa Finals.”