Filipina fencer Samantha Catantan earned a slot to the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France.
Catantan ruled the women's foil event of the Asia-Oceania Zonal Olympic Qualifier after defeating Sofia Aktayeva of Kazakhstan, 15-14, during the gold-medal match in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates on Saturday, April 27.
The 2021 Southeast Asian Games gold medalist secured a spot in the finals after besting Hong Se-na of South Korea, 15-3, in the semifinals, and Israa Al Siyabi of Oma, 15-4, in the quarterfinals.
The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) lauded Catantan for joining the growing list of Filipino athletes who will compete in the Paris Games that will formally open on July 26, and run until August 11.
POC president Abraham Tolentino said Catantan "rose beyond adversity and proved herself deserving of an Olympic spot."
"She really fought for it to the end and I’m really happy to see her success just like the other Paris-bound Filipino athletes before her,” Tolentino said in a press release.
He also praised Catantan for becoming the first Filipino fencer to qualify for the Olympics since Walter Torres competed in the 1992 Games in Barcelona, Spain.
"She really worked hard to put the Philippines back on the world fencing map after 32 years and we’re very proud of her," the POC chief added.
