PROMISING FENCERS. Samantha Kyle Catantan and Maxine Isabel Esteban debuted in the 18th Asian Games women's foil individual events at the Jakarta Convention Center in Indonesia on Monday. (Photo by Judith Caringal/Radyo Pilipinas 2)
JAKARTA -- Samantha Kyle Catantan and Maxine Isabel Esteban failed to advance to the quarterfinal round of the women's foil individual event in the 18th Asian Games fencing competitions at the Jakarta Convention Center here on Monday.
Catantan bowed to Liu Yan Wei of Hong Kong, 14-15, while Esteban fell to Japan's Sera Azuma, 8-15, in the round-of-16.
Liu is a silver medalist in the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea
Azuma won the silver medal in the 2016 World Cadet Championships in Bourges, France. She has competed in the World Championships in Wuxi, China (2018) and Leipzig, Germany (2017).
The 17-year-old Catantan reached the round-of-32 after defeating Thailand's Ploypailin Thongchampa (5-1), Lebanon's Rita Abou Jaoude (5-2) and Macau's Ho Ka U (5-1) in the Pool C preliminaries. She lost to China's Yi Ting (0-5) and Japan's Karin Miyawaki (2-5).
In the round-of-32, Catantan prevailed over Thongchampa, 15-6, but was eliminated by Liu.
Esteban, 18, had a 2-3 win-loss record in the Pool D preliminaries. She won over Malaysia's Tyanne Fong and Indonesia's Mery Ananda and lost to China's Huo Xingxin (4-5), Japan's Sera Azuma and Singapore's Amita Marie Nicolette Berthier.
She conquered Macau's Ho Peng I (15-9) before losing to Azuma.
Despite the losses, national coach Roland Canlas has remained proud of his players.
"I am so proud of my young team. They did a great job. This is their first Asian Games but maganda ang pinakita ni Sam and Max," said Canlas in an interview on Monday.
Meanwhile, Nathaniel Perez and Brenan Louie (men's individual foil) and Hanniel Abella (women's individual epee) will see action on Tuesday. (PNA)
