MAXINE ESTEBAN VOWS TO REMAIN A FILIPINO AT HEART

By Peter Atencio

FILIPINO-IVORIAN fencer Maxine

Esteban said her beloved Philippines will always be in her heart whenever she trains and competes in numerous tournaments and until she seeks quali cation for the 2024 Paris Olympics in the coming months even under a di erent ag.

“The environment of respect, honor, and equal opportunities I am currently experiencing is a much-needed comfort for me. If through my efforts, God rewards me with success, know that whatever triumphs I gain is a triumph of the Philippines as it is of the Ivory Coast,” said the 22-yearold Esteban now that she is getting comfortable training with her new teammates with the Ivorian women’s national team.

Last week Esteban nished third and won a bronze medal in the individual women’s foil category of the 2023 African championships in Cairo, Egypt.

This was her second tournament under the Cote D’Ivoire banner.

Esteban, who has been coached by Italian master Andrea Magro since they rst met back in 2020, took a 14-15 setback to two-time Olympian Nora Mohammed of

Egypt, and her effort to reach the semi nals allowed her to achieve two milestones in her career.

After reaching her highest world ranking last year, at no. 62, Esteban has gone even high to end up at a new career high of world no. 46.

She reached the semis after beating Youssra Sakarani of Egypt, 15-8. Her latest international sortie came a month after she switched nationalities, opting to play under a different country, after years of competing for the Philippines.

“Because no matter what stage I will compete in, be it in a small tournament or—God willing—in the Olympics, the flag I represent only tells half the story. In my heart, I will always carry two inspirations: The land of my birth and the country I now call home,” said Esteban in a