Filipina fencer clinches gold in 2021 Garret Open

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Prized Filipina fencer Samantha Catantan made noise on the international stage once again after winning the gold medal during the recently concluded 2021 Garret Open held at the Penn State University’s Multi-Sport Building Indoor Track.

Fresh off a top 20 finish during the 2021 World Junior and Cadet Fencing Championships held in Cairo, Egypt, Catantan continued her dominant outing and grabbed the gold medal in the prestigious fencing tournament.

The former ace fencer of the University of the East high school didn’t waste any chances after going undefeated during the elimination round.

Catantan then earned an outright seat to the playoffs after another spectacular performance in the second round and made quick work of Mikaela Yhip, 15-8, and Sarah Filby, 15-9.

Before qualifying for the grand finals, Catantan had to get through two Columbian fencers in Zanda Rhodes and Vivian Zheng who both fell short against the rolling Filipina, 15-12, 15-9, respectively.

With the huge wins, Catantan then set up a highly-anticipated clash with Delphine De Vore, another Columbian, in the finals of the tournament where she won in a tightly-contested match, 13-12.

Catantan, who is currently a part of the Penn State University fencing team, is looking to prepare for the upcoming NCAA Fencing Championships scheduled for March 2022.