Samantha Catantan endured a close encounter with Kazakhstan’s Sofiya Akatyeva, 15-14, and earned qualification in the Paris Olympics despite her setbacks on Saturday evening.
Catantan, who still needs to finish the process of rehabilitation from a knee injury that she suffered last year, nailed the final point for the gold medal when she lunged at Aktayeva in the women’s foil finals during the Asia-Oceania Zonal Olympic Qualifier on in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates.
The 22-year-old Catantan’s qualification is the first time for the Philippines in 32 years since Walter Torres made it to the Olympic Games in 1992.
“Masaya po. In-enjoy ko lang buong tournament. It’s so surreal, na hindi pa po nagsi-sink in,” said Catantan in an interview with Manila Standard after she got past the much taller Akatyeva.
“This is a dream come true. I worked hard all these years just to be here and get this,” said Catantan, who broke down in tears after overcoming her last rival.
Catantan, a student-athlete at Penn State University, rallied from 9-12 down, and forced a 12-all deadlock.
She lost momentum when she felt a muscle give way in her left knee as she sought a medical timeout at 12-all, allowing her rival to grab the upperhand again, 14-12.
“Nagdasal ako. Nahabol niya. Hindi na siya bumitaw,” said Catantan’s coach Amatov Canlas, who made appeals for the jury on fair officiating of the finals match.
Catantan reached the finals following a 15-3 triumph over Korean Sena Hong in the semifinals of the main draw.
Earlier, Catantan fought Israa Al Siyabi, 15-4 in the quarterfinals, after drawing a bye in the Round of 16.
“Sabi ni coach, mag-focus lang ako. Alam niya iyung dinaanan kong hirap, at iyung consistency ko na makabalik ako this year, despite the injury,” added Catantan.
Catantan, who settled the silver medal in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games, after suffering a knee injury during the semis, still needs to get a final clearance from doctors on her knee, which went under the knife many months ago.
She became the 12th Filipino athlete to make it to the Paris Olympics this month, following the qualification of rowing of Joanie Delgaco and artistic gymnastics standout Levi Jung-Ruivivar.
Already in Team Philippines are pole vaulter EJ Obiena; artistic gymnasts Carlos Yulo and Alleah Finnegan; boxers Eumir Marcial, Nesthy Petecio, and Aira Villegas; and weightlifters John Ceniza, Elreen Ando and Vanessa Sarno.
Catantan made it to the main draw after four wins and two losses in Pool 2, where she bowed Akatyeva, 5-4, for the first time.
While preparing for the qualifiers, Catantan placed 11th out of 24 for Penn State University in the women’s foil event in the 2024 US NCAA Fencing Championship last month.