SHE may be fighting for a different flag come the Olympics, but Maxine Esteban knows deep in her heart that there’s no taking away the Filipina in her.
A dream 15 years in the making will soon come true for the 23-year-old fencer after she secured a breakthrough Olympic berth in the aftermath of her pivotal move to switch federations from the Philippines to Ivory Coast.
READ: Sam Catantan looks forward to facing friend Maxine Esteban at Olympics
By the time Esteban takes her talents to Paris in the grandest sporting stage of them all, she’ll be fencing with pride both as an Ivorian and a Filipina.
“I’m very proud kasi I think coming into the Olympics, I’m representing both countries: the Philippines and Ivory Coast. You know, you can really never take away the Filipino in me and I will forever be Filipino,” said Esteban.
“I’m very thankful na people are still supporting me and I hope that they still continue to support not only me but the rest of the Philippine delegation going to the Olympics.”
Should it be written in the stars, Esteban might soon cross paths with her ‘good friend’ and Olympic-bound Filipina fencer Sam Catantan.
While Esteban embraces the prospect of a potential Olympic matchup with Catantan, one whom she considers a ‘worthy fencer to fence against,’ she also carries the hope that they’ll avoid an early faceoff and save a dream duel in the latter stages, possibly for Olympic gold.
“Everyone who qualified in the Olympics, they’re all really good fencers. Just like Sam (Catantan), she would be a worthy fencer to fence against. It would be an honor to fence against her.”
Esteban added: “I’m really looking forward, if ever that time comes, but hopefully hindi kami magkatapat sa early stages and you know maybe magkatapat na lang kami sa finals.”
Esteban’s wish for PH fencing
Even from afar, Philippine fencing will always have a special place in Esteban’s heart wherever her already-promising career takes her.
In fact, the world No. 37 fencer even shared her wish for the sport and all aspiring Filipina fencers: adequate government support.
“I hope that they can get more budget to train abroad and get more experience and compete in more competitions because I think you gain more confidence if you compete more because the talent in the Philippines is really great. I hope that they can use this talent and qualify more fencers,” Esteban said.
“Sabi ko nga before, the Filipino talent is really great. There’s really so much talent in the Philippines. I hope that the government can continue to support Filipino athletes so more people can qualify for the Olympics.”
The last few months before Paris 2024 will be loaded with international training camps for Esteban as she gears up for her first-ever crack at Olympic glory.
“It’s very exciting na mag-compete sa Olympics and now I’m based sa Germany, I’m training there. Sasali ako sa marami pang competitions like the African Championship. Then, we have training in Poland and we’re going to a training camp in Paris with the Japanese national fencing team and French national team."
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