Esteban lands 11th in Asian fencing tilt

Maxine Esteban emerged as the top Filipino performer in the recent 2022 Seoul Asian Fencing Championships in Seoul, South Korea, placing 11^th in the women’s individual foil.

The 21-year-old Filipina bounced back from a failed bid to win a medal in 31^st SEA Games in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Another Filipina fencer, Samantha Catantan, settled for 13^th spot.

Both Filipinas were eliminated in the Round of 16.

Esteban won five of six matches in the poule qualifying.

She trounced Indonesian Leoda Lundy Winona of Indonesia, Korean Hong Seo In, Indian Radhika Prakash Awati, Hong Kong’s Kuan Yu Ching and Thai Longthong Naramol.

Her only defeat was inflicted by Japanese Yuka Ueno who was eliminated in the semifinals.

After earning a bye in the Round of 64, Esteban faced Thai Shinnakerdchoke Chayanulphat, bronze medalist in Hanoi.

“I just focused on the bout. One point at a time. I tried not to think about the results or other distractions,” said Esteban who went on to beat the Thai, 15-7.

Against Chinese Chen Qingyuan, Esteban fought gallantly before bowing out, 14-12.

“I was calm and I am satisfied with how I fenced today especially my last game against China. It was a close loss but for me, it felt like a win because I have proven to myself that our skills are not far behind these giants,” she said.

Chen went on to reach the final where she lost to compatriot Shi Yue, 15-9.

Catantan, on the other hand, recorded four wins in the poule.

She beat Korean Kim Kiyeun, Indian Isha Isha, Australian Sophia Glasson and Thai Doungpattra Sasinpat. She lost to Singapore’s Amita Berthier and Chinese Wu Peilin.

In the Round of 32, Catantan whipped Hong Kong’s Kuan Yu Ching, 15-6, only to lose to Berthier again, 15-6, in the next round.