Sam Catantan to focus on recovery, pursue Masters degree in U.S. | ABS-CBN
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Sam Catantan to focus on recovery, pursue Masters degree in U.S.
Sam Catantan to focus on recovery, pursue Masters degree in U.S.
Italy's Arianna Errigo competes against Philippines' Samantha Kyle Catantan in the women's foil individual round of 32 bout during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Grand Palais in Paris, on July 28, 2024. Fabrice Coffrini, AFP
Italy's Arianna Errigo competes against Philippines' Samantha Kyle Catantan in the women's foil individual round of 32 bout during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Grand Palais in Paris, on July 28, 2024. Fabrice Coffrini, AFPMANILA -- While on the road to recovery, Filipina fencer Samantha Catantan will be going back to school.
MANILA -- While on the road to recovery, Filipina fencer Samantha Catantan will be going back to school.
Catantan, who just graduated from Penn State University, will be pursuing a Masters degree in accounting at the same institution.
Catantan, who just graduated from Penn State University, will be pursuing a Masters degree in accounting at the same institution.
Last week, the 22-year-old underwent surgery for her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in the same left knee she hurt last year.
Last week, the 22-year-old underwent surgery for her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in the same left knee she hurt last year.
"I started my rehab po for my recovery and hopefully I'll be back po in the span of 10 months po after the recovery. But actually po next week, I'm flying back to US to go back po to Penn State. Because I'm about to start po my master's program. Actually, it started na po and I'm arriving lang two weeks late because I'm not allowed po to travel right after the injury, right after surgery," she told ABS-CBN News on the sidelines of a sports apparel brand event.
"I started my rehab po for my recovery and hopefully I'll be back po in the span of 10 months po after the recovery. But actually po next week, I'm flying back to US to go back po to Penn State. Because I'm about to start po my master's program. Actually, it started na po and I'm arriving lang two weeks late because I'm not allowed po to travel right after the injury, right after surgery," she told ABS-CBN News on the sidelines of a sports apparel brand event.
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"So yes po, I have my master's degree po this year for a year. And then after that po, I'll prepare po for the qualification for LA 2028," Catantan added.
"So yes po, I have my master's degree po this year for a year. And then after that po, I'll prepare po for the qualification for LA 2028," Catantan added.
The Filipina fencer announced she re-injured her knee after bowing out of the Paris Games in the Table of 32 in women's individual foil competition.
The Filipina fencer announced she re-injured her knee after bowing out of the Paris Games in the Table of 32 in women's individual foil competition.
Catantan said she will take her time to avoid a repeat of her previous recovery process, which she said was 'rushed' for the Olympic qualifiers.
Catantan said she will take her time to avoid a repeat of her previous recovery process, which she said was 'rushed' for the Olympic qualifiers.
"Last year, I injured myself for the first time, ACL din sa Southeast Asian Games. And same knee. And then, nag-surgery ako. And then, I had 10 months before the qualifying. So, ano talaga siya? Rush yung recovery. So, ayun, talagang may risk of being re-injured. We knew that dahil may minadali. This time po, we're gonna take, ano po, talagang kung hanggat kailan, kaya," she said.
"Last year, I injured myself for the first time, ACL din sa Southeast Asian Games. And same knee. And then, nag-surgery ako. And then, I had 10 months before the qualifying. So, ano talaga siya? Rush yung recovery. So, ayun, talagang may risk of being re-injured. We knew that dahil may minadali. This time po, we're gonna take, ano po, talagang kung hanggat kailan, kaya," she said.
Catantan admitted pursuing further studies was not in the pipeline, but she still had one more year of eligibility to play for Penn State in the US NCAA.
Catantan admitted pursuing further studies was not in the pipeline, but she still had one more year of eligibility to play for Penn State in the US NCAA.
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"I was very lucky po kasi my freshman year, it was COVID. Even though po we fenced, they didn't count that as one kasi nga po not every school was able to join because of the pandemic. So ngayon po may five years ako and I'm very very thankful po for Penn State for giving me another year of scholarship po to continue my master's and at the same time, fence for them," she said.
"I was very lucky po kasi my freshman year, it was COVID. Even though po we fenced, they didn't count that as one kasi nga po not every school was able to join because of the pandemic. So ngayon po may five years ako and I'm very very thankful po for Penn State for giving me another year of scholarship po to continue my master's and at the same time, fence for them," she said.
The Filipina fencer said she will 'red shirt' or withdraw from playing for Penn State this year while she completes her recovery.
The Filipina fencer said she will 'red shirt' or withdraw from playing for Penn State this year while she completes her recovery.
PINOYS IN PARIS
"I'm happy po that I was able to come here [Philippines] as well, see family. And ayun po, even up to now, very overwhelming po talaga. But I'm very grateful po with the support that we've been getting from, not just from the Filipino fencing community here in the Philippines. Sa lahat po talaga, grabe," she said.
"I'm happy po that I was able to come here [Philippines] as well, see family. And ayun po, even up to now, very overwhelming po talaga. But I'm very grateful po with the support that we've been getting from, not just from the Filipino fencing community here in the Philippines. Sa lahat po talaga, grabe," she said.
Catantan said she did not expect to get the amount of support she received while competing in the Paris Games. She used the support as motivation to put up a good showing in her Olympic debut.
Catantan said she did not expect to get the amount of support she received while competing in the Paris Games. She used the support as motivation to put up a good showing in her Olympic debut.
"I knew who were coming. Some of my family members po came and some friends came. But you will see po, random Filipino people who were there po supporting us. And we're very thankful po for them kasi definitely when you're competing po talagang nakakatulong when you know na ang daming sumusuporta sa'yo and ano po talaga the support of Filipino po talaga, wala pong katulad," she added.
"I knew who were coming. Some of my family members po came and some friends came. But you will see po, random Filipino people who were there po supporting us. And we're very thankful po for them kasi definitely when you're competing po talagang nakakatulong when you know na ang daming sumusuporta sa'yo and ano po talaga the support of Filipino po talaga, wala pong katulad," she added.
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Cantan said she was able to reconnect with her former national teammate Maxine Esteban through a brief conversation before competing in Paris.
Cantan said she was able to reconnect with her former national teammate Maxine Esteban through a brief conversation before competing in Paris.
"I was very proud of her, definitely. Pareho namin pangarap makarating sa Olympics. And I'm very proud na hindi lang isang Pinoy ang nandun. Syempre, dalawa Pinoy kaming nandun eh. So, hindi lang isa po yung nag-represent ng Philippines sa Olympics. Siyempre, siya din," she said.
"I was very proud of her, definitely. Pareho namin pangarap makarating sa Olympics. And I'm very proud na hindi lang isang Pinoy ang nandun. Syempre, dalawa Pinoy kaming nandun eh. So, hindi lang isa po yung nag-represent ng Philippines sa Olympics. Siyempre, siya din," she said.
CATANTAN SIBLINGS IN TEAM PH
Samantha isn't the only Catantan representing the Philippines in fencing. Her younger sisters Ysah and Sophia are also part of the national team.
Samantha isn't the only Catantan representing the Philippines in fencing. Her younger sisters Ysah and Sophia are also part of the national team.
The two competed alongside their "ate Sam" in the national foil team at the SEA Games last year.
The two competed alongside their "ate Sam" in the national foil team at the SEA Games last year.
"I'm very proud of them. Kasi ano po, alam ko po yung hard work and dedication na pinaput out nila to be able to, of course, bring honor and glory sa Philippines. And I'm happy to see na nagbubunga yung mga pinaghihirapan nila," Samantha said.
"I'm very proud of them. Kasi ano po, alam ko po yung hard work and dedication na pinaput out nila to be able to, of course, bring honor and glory sa Philippines. And I'm happy to see na nagbubunga yung mga pinaghihirapan nila," Samantha said.
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She remains hopeful she gets to compete with her sisters again in future competitions.
She remains hopeful she gets to compete with her sisters again in future competitions.
"Ever since naman, they always tell me na siyempre I'm one of their inspirations and I'm very blessed, of course, and grateful na talagang nilook up nila ako. Not just as their ate, but also ina-idolize din nila the way I fence. And I'm very ano talaga thank na I'm able to help them," the 22-year-old said.
"Ever since naman, they always tell me na siyempre I'm one of their inspirations and I'm very blessed, of course, and grateful na talagang nilook up nila ako. Not just as their ate, but also ina-idolize din nila the way I fence. And I'm very ano talaga thank na I'm able to help them," the 22-year-old said.
Samantha believes her Olympic stint will inspire not just her sisters, but other Filipina fencers.
Samantha believes her Olympic stint will inspire not just her sisters, but other Filipina fencers.
"For sure, mas tumaas yung moral nila na if I'm able to make it. Not just them, actually. Even yung mga bata na nag-start with friends. Even my teammates and the national team, siyempre, mas naboost yung moral namin na ano talaga, na possible. Na possible na ang mga Filipino fencers ay kaya pong makatungtong sa Olympics," she added.
"For sure, mas tumaas yung moral nila na if I'm able to make it. Not just them, actually. Even yung mga bata na nag-start with friends. Even my teammates and the national team, siyempre, mas naboost yung moral namin na ano talaga, na possible. Na possible na ang mga Filipino fencers ay kaya pong makatungtong sa Olympics," she added.
Samantha, the first Filipina fencer to qualify for the Summer Games, had a message for those who want to get into sports in general.
Samantha, the first Filipina fencer to qualify for the Summer Games, had a message for those who want to get into sports in general.
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"Be patient [in] figuring out what you love and what you're passionate about. And never, ever, ever, for sure, compare your progress to other people. Kasi isa po yun sa naging strength ko eh. Talagang I was very focused sa sarili ko na ano lang, mag-progress everyday, even little by little. And definitely, ano talaga, when they work on things with all their heart, mind, and soul, talagang ma-achieve nila what they really want to be," she said.
"Be patient [in] figuring out what you love and what you're passionate about. And never, ever, ever, for sure, compare your progress to other people. Kasi isa po yun sa naging strength ko eh. Talagang I was very focused sa sarili ko na ano lang, mag-progress everyday, even little by little. And definitely, ano talaga, when they work on things with all their heart, mind, and soul, talagang ma-achieve nila what they really want to be," she said.
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