By: Waylon Galvez
After receiving a clean bill of health, Filipino fencer Samantha Catantan is eager to return to competition at the FIE World Cup satellite tournament next month in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Catantan was officially cleared to compete 11 months after undergoing her second ACL surgery on her left knee. She met with renowned sports physician Dr. Raul Canlas on Friday, who reviewed the results of a strength test conducted last month and a hop test she completed just a day prior.
Catantan originally sustained the injury during the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia.
After recovering, she returned to action and clinched the gold medal at the Asian and Oceania Olympic Qualifying Tournament held in April 2024 in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates — securing her ticket to the Paris Olympics.
However, disaster struck again during her round of 32 bout against world No. 2 Arianna Errigo of Italy, where she re-injured her knee in a hard-fought 15–12 loss.
Now, with her recovery nearly complete, Catantan is not only eyeing the World Cup satellite in Amsterdam, but also setting her sights on the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.
“I’m very excited. The last time I fenced was during the Paris Olympics. Strength-wise, I feel really strong. I think now I’m at 95 percent,” Catantan told Tiebreaker Times in an interview Thursday night.
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She is scheduled to return to the United States two weeks before the start of the school year, as she begins her master’s degree at Penn State University, where she previously earned her undergraduate degree in accountancy.
Catantan noted that going back to the U.S. early will allow her ample time to prepare for the World Cup satellite. After that, she is expected to rejoin the Philippine Fencing Team in preparation for the SEA Games.
Aside from reclaiming the gold medal she won in 2022 in Vietnam — which she had to forfeit in 2023 due to her injury — Catantan feels especially excited about the opportunity to compete alongside her sisters, Ysah and Opao, in the women’s foil team event.
“It’s going to be memorable for us three. We’re looking forward to that. Pangarap naming tatlo ‘to na together ma-represent namin ang Philippines. Lahat naman kami pangarap makapag-laro for the Philippines, but to do it ng sabay-sabay kami, nakaka-excite,” said Catantan.
