Olympic-bound Fil-Ivorian fencer Maxine Esteban and sportswear giant ANTA further strengthened their bond by renewing their partnership in an intimate contract signing event at the ANTA Office in Mandaluyong City on Thursday, May 23.
Esteban, who has been with the sportswear brand since her colorful days at Ateneo in the UAAP, will continue to serve as the local ambassador, joining the growing roster of ANTA athletes in the country.
ANTA Philippines general manager JP Paglinawan emphasized Esteban’s world-class talent, highly driven attitude, and passion for the sport, which he believes the 23-year-old wunderkind shares with the brand, making it a straightforward decision to keep her with the ANTA family.
“She’s a world-class athlete. The partnership we started in 2022, and we are renewing it today not only because she’s going to the Olympics but because we have always believed in her ability, her vibe, her passion for the sport,” said Paglinawan.
“We see the brand sharing the same values as Maxine. We see Anta as a world-class sports industry product, and it’s very fitting that we have Maxine to represent the brand in the Olympics,” he added.
For Esteban, the signing goes beyond an endorsement deal but rather a renewal of ANTA’s confidence, trust, and pride in her abilities.
“They believed in me from the very start when I had nothing, and I’m very thankful for everything they have done for me. It’s not only a contract renewal but also a reaffirmation of confidence and trust in me,” said Esteban.
Esteban will be sporting ANTA fencing footwear when she competes against the world’s best fencers in the Olympics after earning a direct qualification by becoming the top fencer in the singles women’s foil in the African continental zone.
ANTA is eager to expand Esteban’s ambassadorship to a global role, especially now that she holds a very unique position where she can make an impact and inspire future athletes in the two countries she represents – Ivory Coast and the Philippines.
“When I qualified, I received so much support from the Philippines and the Ivory Coast, and it was really overwhelming for me, and I’m very thankful for it. I realized my role is very important because from both countries, I’m getting so much support and people are looking up to me more,” added Esteban.
Esteban was only in the country for a week and is set to fly back to Germany to continue her training and competitions in preparation for the Paris Games.
