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Team Philippines’ fencing bet Samantha Catantan is set to compete in the Paris Olympics 2024. — UAE FENCING via SAM CATANTAN INSTAGRAM

MANILA, Philippines—Team Philippines’ fencing bet Samantha Catantan is set for a tough start in the Paris Olympics 2024.

For Catantan’s first match in the Summer Games, she will take on Brazil’s Mariana Pistoia in a match that will virtually send the winner to the category’s Round of 32 phase.

Catantan is currently ranked the World’s no. 226 fencer while Pistoia is ranked at 240.

SCHEDULE: Team Philippines at Paris Olympics 2024

But the challenge will not get any easier for Catantan, should she see the light of day after taking on Pistoia.

Whoever advances to the Round of 32 between the Philippines’ and Brazil’s bets will have to take on the daunting task of facing Italy’s Arianna Errigo.

Errigo is currently the world’s second best fencer and has an outright ticket to face the winner of Catantan vs. Pistoia.

Maxine Esteban, who changed nationalities from the Philippines to Ivory Coast, meanwhile is already assured of a spot in the Round of 32.

The 20th-seeded fencer will be taking on the competition’s 13th-seeded Pauline Ranvier of France.

Esteban got an outright advance from the first round by securing points as the top African qualifier in the official ranking of the International Fencing Federation.