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Maxine Esteban

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<p>(<strong>UPDATED</strong>) Philippine-born fencer Maxine Esteban joined the Ivory Coast delegation during the opening ceremonies of the 2024 Paris Olympics on Friday (Saturday morning in Manila).</p><p>&quot;We are ready,&quot; Esteban said in an Instagram post before the <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/7/26/olympic-opening-ceremony-under-way-on-river-seine-215">opening ceremony</a>, which took place at the River Seine instead of a stadium.</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/C95JrLDoRE9/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=675&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fnews-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A2560259.399999976%2C%22ls%22%3A2560121.2000000477%2C%22le%22%3A2560125.5%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1005" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>Esteban, who played for Ateneo de Manila University in college, switched federations in May 2023 after becoming a naturalized citizen of Ivory Coast.</p><p>She qualified for the Summer Games in March 2024, after placing 83rd in the 2024 Absolute Fencing Gear FIE Foil Grand Prix in Washington.</p><p>Though she will be wearing the colors of Ivory Coast, Esteban has said that she is stil representing the Philippines in Paris.</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; she said.</p><p>Ahead of the Olympics, she reached a new high of No. 27 in the world rankings -- the highest achieved by a Philippine-born fencer.</p><p>Esteban will compete in women&#x27;s foil, opening her campaign on Sunday against French bet Pauline Ranvier in the table of 32.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/7/3/olympic-bound-maxine-esteban-rises-to-world-no-27-1620">READ: Olympic-bound Maxine Esteban rises to world No. 27</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/3/17/fencer-maxine-esteban-punches-ticket-to-paris-olympics-1211">READ: Fencer Maxine Esteban punches ticket to Paris Olympics</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/6/4/maxine-esteban-proud-to-represent-ph-and-ivory-coast-in-paris-olympics-2053">READ: Maxine Esteban proud to represent PH and Ivory Coast in Paris Olympics</a></div><p>Esteban has a definite goal in mind as she competes in her maiden Olympic Games -- to make it to the top 20 of the world rankings.</p><p>&quot;While living out the Olympic dream is an achievement in itself, now that I am here, I would very much like to continue my fencing goals,&quot; said Esteban. &quot;Definitely, winning a medal is the ultimate goal, but even if that becomes out of reach, I am hoping to at least continue building on my world ranking so I can make the most out of the experience here in Paris.&quot;</p><p>&quot;Making it to the top 20 definitely would be a step in that direction,&quot; she added.</p><p>Also starting her journey on Sunday is Team Philippines fencer Sam Catantan, who will battle fellow wild card qualifier and world No. 65 Mariana Pistoia of Brazil in the round-of-64. If she wins, Catantan will advance to the main draw against world No. 2 Arianna Errigo of Italy. </p><p>Esteban, meanwhile, is hoping that her rigorous preparation under the watchful eye of veteran coach Andrea Magro will pay off. Ahead of the Summer Games, she also competed in a training camp in Paris with the Japanese national team.</p><p>&quot;I&#x27;ve always said that the Paris Olympics as a goal was never meant to be the final destination. It is a major part of my fencing journey and I hope to accomplish more through hard work so I can inspire young fencers in both Ivory Coast and the Philippines,&quot; said Esteban.</p><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/KxXCTWr4CxQ?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div>

<p>Philippine-born fencer Maxine Esteban joined the Ivory Coast delegation during the opening ceremonies of the 2024 Paris Olympics on Friday (Saturday morning in Manila).</p>

Philippine-born fencer Maxine Esteban joined the Ivory Coast delegation during the opening ceremonies of the 2024 Paris Olympics on Friday (Saturday morning in Manila).

LOOK: Maxine Esteban joins Ivory Coast in Olympics opening ceremony

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LOOK: Maxine Esteban joins Ivory Coast in Olympics opening ceremony

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Published Jul 27, 2024 03:42 AM PHT

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Updated Jul 27, 2024 12:36 PM PHT

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Maxine Esteban

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