Paris Olympics: Sam Catantan bows out after strong start in debut

Italy’s Arianna Errigo competes against Philippines’ Samantha Kyle Catantan in the women’s foil individual round of 32 bout during the Paris Olympics 2024 at the Grand Palais in Paris, on July 28, 2024. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines — Sam Catantan’s debut at the Summer Games ended at the hands of No. 1 seed Arianna Errigo of Italy in women’s individual foil at the Paris Olympics on Sunday at Grand Palais in France.

Buoyed by a strong showing in the table of 64, Catantan pushed the World No. 2 Errigo to her limit, forcing a third round, where she tried to fight back from a 14-10 deficit.

However, the Italian Olympic veteran kept her composure to advance to the quarterfinals.

READ: Tough road ahead for PH bet Samantha Catantan at Paris Olympics

The first Filipina fencer to see action in the Olympic games fought back from a 0-4 start, scoring five straight points to take the lead. But Errigo displayed grace under pressure and led as many as four anew,  ending the second round with a 13-9 advantage.

Still, Catantan, who is world No. 266 and 33rd seed in the event, was able to make a good account of herself on the world stage.

Catantan realized her dream Olympic win after beating Brazil’s Mariana Pistoia, 15-13, in the table of 64.

The 22-year-old Filipino trailed the Brazilian by as many as three points to start the match and 6-7 to end the first round.

But she sizzled in the second round and led by 10-8 before Pistoia got her act together and earned three straight points to reclaim the lead, 10-11.

The two fought neck-and-neck with Pistoia holding a 13-12 lead but Catantan fought back, scoring three straight points to end the match, 15-13, with 59 seconds remaining in the second round and advance to the table of 32.