Maxine Esteban on quick Paris exit: 'I could've made Philippines, Côte d'Ivoire proud' | ABS-CBN

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Maxine Esteban on quick Paris exit: 'I could've made Philippines, Côte d'Ivoire proud'

Maxine Esteban on quick Paris exit: 'I could've made Philippines, Côte d'Ivoire proud'

Kennedy Caacbay,

ABS-CBN News

 | 

Updated Jul 28, 2024 11:25 PM PHT

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Fil-Ivorian fencer Maxine Esteban. Handout photoFil-Ivorian fencer Maxine Esteban. Handout photo

(UPDATED) After childhood friend Sam Catantan's exit, Fil-Ivorian fencer Maxine Esteban is also now out of medal contention at the 2024 Paris Olympics. 

The Philippine-born foilist's Olympic journey was ended by French bet Pauline Ranvier, 7-15, in the table of 32 at women's individual foil competition on Sunday (Manila time) at Grand Palais. 

Filled with mixed emotions, Esteban said she was dissatisfied with her performance on the international stage, but remained thankful after fulfilling her Olympic dream. 

"[I'm] happy and sad, happy because I made it to the Olympics but sad because I could've done better," Esteban told ABS-CBN News.

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Esteban acknowledged the disappointment accompanied by the loss, but facing the Tokyo Olympics silver medalist for team women's foil did not hold back her courage. 

In fact, Esteban didn't feel that she was the underdog in the contest. 

"A loss, no matter on what stage, will always be disappointing. There are no excuses. It’s easy to say that this is my first Olympics and that I was facing the silver medalist from the last Olympics," she said. 

"But the truth is, I never felt like an underdog. For Cote D’Ivoire, for the Philippines, how could I? I always felt like I could win for them and make both my homes proud." 

Ranvier unfortunately dominated Esteban on the piste, establishing a 13-2 lead at the 0:24 mark in the first period. 

Esteban still notched some points, but ultimately could not recover from the huge separation created by the French fencer. 

Reflecting further on the loss, the 23-year-old wunderkind was grateful with the final output in her Olympic debut and was honored to battle her friend Ranvier. 

"In my maiden appearance, I am happy to have made a final ranking of #23 out of the 34 fencers. It is an honor to fence the Tokyo Olympics silver medalist, Pauline Ranvier from France in the T32, who is also my friend," she said. 

This Olympic defeat will serve as a lesson learned, said Esteban, as she remains focused on her goal as an athlete.

"For now, I will pick up the lessons from this setback and use it to make me stronger."

"My goal remains the same. I still want to make it to the world’s top 20 and I hope my result here will help me achieve that," she concluded. 

Esteban switched federations last year to represent Ivory Coast.

Earlier, her pal Catantan was ousted by Italy's Arianna Errigo, 12-15, at the same competition.

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