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Maxine Esteban

Kennedy Caacbay

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib fr-fil"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1717505873994Maxine Esteban.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-fil" alt="Maxine Esteban"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Maxine Esteban</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA – Maxine Esteban is still a proud Filipina despite changing federations to Cote d&#x27;Ivoire.</p><p>The Fil-Ivorian fencer says she will be representing both countries as she takes flight at the 2024 Paris Olympics.</p><p>Esteban clinched a spot to the Olympics after playing at the senior women&#x27;s foil event of the 2024 Absolute Fencing Gear FIE Foil Grand Prix in the United States.</p><p>&quot;I’m very proud kasi I think coming into the Olympics, I’m representing both countries: the Philippines and Ivory Coast. You know, you can really never take away the Filipino in me and I will forever be Filipino,&quot; Esteban said in a recent interview with reporters when she was in the country to watch the Alas Pilipinas women&#x27;s volleyball team.</p><p>The former Ateneo de Manila University stalwart also expressed gratitude for the support she receives from Filipinos.</p><p>&quot;I’m very thankful na people are still supporting me and I hope that they still continue to support not only me but the rest of the Philippine delegation going to the Olympics,&quot; she said.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/4/24/sam-catantan-grateful-for-best-friend-maxine-esteban-s-support-1013"><strong>READ: Fencing: Sam Catantan grateful for best friend Maxine Esteban&#x27;s support</strong></a></div><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/4/4/maxine-esteban-s-change-of-nationality-affected-ph-fencing-team-says-pfa-139"><strong>READ: Maxine Esteban’s change of nationality affected PH fencing team, says PFA</strong></a></div><p>Esteban also bared her build up for the Paris Games.</p><p>&quot;It’s very exciting na mag-compete sa Olympics and now I’m based sa Germany, I’m training there. Sasali ako sa marami pang competitions like the African Championship. Then, we have training in Poland and we’re going to a training camp in Paris with the Japanese national fencing team and French national team,&quot; she explained.</p><p>The former Southeast Asian (SEA) Games silver medalist also said it would be an honor to face childhood friend Sam Catantan on the strip.</p><p>&quot;Everyone who qualified in the Olympics, they’re all really good fencers. Just like Sam (Catantan), she would be a worthy fencer to fence against. It would be an honor to fence against her.&quot;</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/5/23/maxine-esteban-on-nationality-change-it-was-very-difficult-1913"><strong>READ: Maxine Esteban on nationality change: &#x27;It was very difficult&#x27;</strong></a></div><p>Esteban also has another wish: To face Catantan in the latter stages of the competition.</p><p>&quot;I’m really looking forward, if ever that time comes, but hopefully hindi kami magkatapat sa early stages and you know maybe magkatapat na lang kami sa Finals,&quot; she added.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/5/24/paris-bound-maxine-esteban-anta-renew-partnership-1337"><strong>READ: Paris-bound Maxine Esteban, ANTA Philippines renew partnership</strong></a></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MS8jRCL6eTg??si=Nj8fclRlK8JCqFpa&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>"I’m very proud kasi I think coming into the Olympics, I’m representing both countries: the Philippines and Ivory Coast. You know, you can really never take away the Filipino in me and I will forever be Filipino."</p>

"I’m very proud kasi I think coming into the Olympics, I’m representing both countries: the Philippines and Ivory Coast. You know, you can really never take away the Filipino in me and I will forever be Filipino."

Fencing: Maxine Esteban proud to represent PH and Ivory Coast in Paris Olympics

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Fencing: Maxine Esteban proud to represent PH and Ivory Coast in Paris Olympics

Kennedy Caacbay,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 04, 2024 09:52 PM PHT

Read More:

abssports

fencing

Paris 2024

Paris Olympics

Maxine Esteban

Sam Catantan

Ivory Coast

Cote d'Ivoire

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