By: Waylon Galvez
University of the East fencers Sophie Catantan and James Lim, along with 12 other Filipinos, are set to compete in the Coupe de Monde Bangkok FIE Foil Junior World Cup 2024, scheduled from December 13 to 15 in Pathum Thani, Thailand.
Fresh off a gold medal win with the women’s foil national team at the recently concluded 2024 Southeast Asian Fencing Federation (SEAFF) Championships, which ended last Tuesday, Catantan expressed her hope to carry the momentum into this event.
“It was a very good experience for me representing the country in my first competition at SEAFF, which I hope to carry the momentum into this edition of the junior World Cup,” said the 15-year-old Catantan, who won the gold medal in the team event with her sister Jannah, Wilhelmina “Bing” Lozada, and Hannah Belarmino.
One of three fencing sisters of Paris Olympics veteran Samantha Catantan, the reigning two-time UAAP high school girls’ division Most Valuable Player stated that competing in the junior World Cup is also crucial in her preparation for UAAP Season 87’s fencing championship, set for April 2025.
“This is part of the preparation for the UAAP. What we’ll gain here will make us better fencers, and that’s what we want since the UAAP is coming in a few months,” said Catantan, now a Grade 9 student at the Recto-based school.
Catantan is currently ranked as the top female fencer in both the cadet and junior categories following the Philippine Fencing Association ranking tournaments. This will be her sixth appearance on the world stage in two years, including a recent appearance in Singapore.
Lim, on the other hand, earned MVP and Rookie of the Year honors in Season 86 back in 2023. He recently finished second in the cadet category of the PFA rankings, behind Antonio Gregorio-Manuel, and third in the juniors’ division behind Louis Shoemaker, also of UE, and Gregorio-Manuel, a Senior High School student at the University of Asia and the Pacific.
Lim, a 15-year-old Grade 10 student at UE, shared his mixed emotions about competing in his first World Cup.
“I’m a bit nervous, but at the same time excited because this is the World Cup. I know it’s going to be tough, but I prepared well for this, and I know I’m ready,” said Lim, who will team up with Manuel and Filipino-American Dean Myers in the men’s team event.
Similarly, 14-year-old Jodie Tan of St. Jude College expressed her excitement.
“I feel incredible to be given this opportunity at such a young age – there’s a mix of excitement, pressure, and pride. This competition will let me gain valuable experience that will eventually help me become a better fencer and achieve my long-term dreams of being part of the national team,” said Tan.
Catantan and Tan will team up for the women’s event in the World Cup with Miyake Capina of De La Salle Zobel and Ina Pascual of Republic Fencing.
Other Filipino fencers competing in the World Cup include Mariel Flores of the University of the Philippines, Martina Baccay of DLSZ, Fil-Ams Sloane and Isabella Paulus, Victoria Malvar, Jada Divinagracia, and Victoria Ebdane of Canlas Fencing.
Former national team head coach and current PFA program director Rolando “Amat” Canlas Jr. leads the Philippine delegation.
