By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Fil-Ivorian fencer Maxine Esteban officially booked a ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympics, but will be representing Ivory Coast after switching federations last year.
The 23-year-old former Ateneo standout clinched the lone African singles spot in the women’s foil event, making her the first homegrown Filipino fencer to earn an Olympic berth.
“I am at a loss for words… This journey is truly a testimony of God’s faithfulness… For all the second chances, opened windows, miraculous feats and generous provisions, thank you Heavenly Father,” Esteban wrote on social media Saturday night, March 16.
Esteban finished tied for 83rd at the 2024 Absolute Fencing Gear FIE Foil Grand Prix in Washington, United States on Friday, March 15, but she collected enough ranking points to keep her on top of the Olympic qualifying race for the African continental zone.
She dedicated her Olympic qualifications not only for Ivory Coast, but also for the Philippines.
“This is for Cote d’Ivoire, the country that embraced me, believed in me and supported me all the way, and for the Philippines, the country my heart will always beat proud of,” she said.
“I’d like to thank my parents and my entire family for their support and for those who helped to make sure the door would be always open for me to continue chasing my dreams, like POC president Abraham Tolentino, who chose to extend a helping hand when I needed it the most,” she added.
She is hoping that her milestone will inspire “those who dream and have at one point almost given up, to persist amidst storms and rough waters.”
As she begins preparations for the Paris Games, Esteban is hoping she will not be the only Filipino fencer seeing action in this year’s Olympiad.
“I am praying that the Philippines will be able to qualify more fencers in April,” Esteban said, referring to a wild card tournament next month that will be participated in by Asian countries that failed to directly qualify for the Olympics.
For now, Esteban will continue to work with Andrea Magro, the famed Italian fencing coach who has mentored several Olympic gold medalists, in whipping up a battle plan for Paris.
Esteban is scheduled to fly back to Manila in May for a short vacation before she launches into her final training camp for Paris.
