By REYNALD MAGALLON
Former UAAP champion Maxine Esteban put on a virtuoso of a performance and ruled her event in the recent International Händel-Cup in Halle, Germany.
Now representing Ivory Coast, Esteban defeated No.4 seed and TSG Weinheim teammate Luca Sarah Holland-Cunz of Germany in the final, 15-13 to cap off an impressive run in the 90-women field of the Under-23 European Circuit.
“Bringing home the GOLD. today in the U23 European Circuit!!!! I’m so so happy with my performance,” wrote Esteban in a post on her Facebook page.
“Thank you to my teammates for cheering me on, my coach for believing in me, and to the Cote d’ivoire federation for supporting me all the way!! I couldn’t have done this without you guys! I am truly grateful. Congratulations as well to all other medalists!,” she added.
It was truly a stellar showing for Esteban who also took down top seed Carlotta Soffi Morandi of Germany on her way to the final.
She first dominated Bauer Fenja of Germany, 15-7 in the second round after getting a bye in the first. Esteban followed it up with a 15-6 triumph over Czech Republic’s Katerina Illekova in the Round of 32 before claiming an 11-10 decision over another German Marie Hofler to advance to the quarterfinals
There she disarmed Morandi with a tight 14-13 win before outclassing Larissa Evers, 15-8, in the semifinals to march into the finale.
After playing for Ateneo in the UAAP, Esteban decided to switch federations and become a naturalized player for Ivory Coast just last June in her bid to play in the grandest stage – the Olympics.
The Olympics will be held in Paris next year.
