Samantha Catantan graduates just days after Paris Olympics debut

Filipino Olympian Samantha Catantan. –SAM CATANTAN INSTAGRAM

MANILA, Philippines—Samantha Catantan may not have had the flashiest finish for Team Philippines in the Paris Olympics 2024, but she sure has something to brag about after the Summer Games.

Catantan, fresh from her Olympic debut in women’s fencing, announced that she officially graduated from Penn State University with the Class of 2024.

In her post, the 22-year-old fencer quoted 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, which read: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

“Thank y’all! Sending much love!” wrote the first Filipino fencer in the Olympics since 1992.

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Catantan put up a valiant effort in pairs as she advanced past the women’s individual foil’s Round of 64 after defeating Brazil’s Mariana Pistoia.

Her heroic run would came to a screeching halt in the tournament’s Round of 32 after the gargantuan task of facing second-seeded Arianna Erigo. The Italy-based fencer narrowly defeated the Filipino bet, 15-12.

Catantan also announced that she suffered another ACL injury in the same knee after the Paris Games. She is now in the Philippines enjoying time with her family.