Catantan takes home fourth gold Burlington International

Sophia Catantan of University of the East and Canlas Fencing pocketed her fourth gold medal and third in individual category as she ruled the under-30 women’s foil in day three of the 1st Burlington Inter-Club International Fencing Challenge on Friday, July 27 at the Alabang Town Center in Muntinlupa City.

Sophia Catantan of University of the East/Canlas Fencing with coach Rolando “Amat” Canlas Jr. celebrate after winning her fourth gold medal in the 1st Burlington Inter-Club International Fencing Challenge at the Alabang Town Center in Muntinlupa City. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO 

Catantan, who ruled the individual categories of under-14 and under-17 during the opening day of the five-day meet last Wednesday, defeated No.1 seed Nami Noro of the University of the Philippines with a nail-biting 15-14 victory in the gold medal match.

Catantan downed Marina Carbonell of UP/CF in the semifinals 15-11, while Noro edged UP teammate Mariel Flores 15-7 in the other Final Four pairing. Noro settled with the silver while Carbonell and Flores got the bronze medals in this meet backed by Burlington Industries Phil. Inc., Pocari Sweat Phil., Alabang Town Center and Milo.

Aside from the three individual gold medals she won, Catantan also powered the Red Warriors to a gold medal finish in the under-17 women’s foil team division with Aubrey Fernandez, Willa Galvez and Alyzabeth Gilbert.

According to Catantan, it inspired her that eldest sister Samantha Catantan, gold medalist in the 2021 Vietnam Southeast Asian Games and a varsity player for the Penn State University Nitanny Lions in the US NCAA, was able to not just watch but provide tips to improve her game.

“I’m happy that ate Sam is here to guide and coach me, as well as the other young Filipino fencers,” said Catantan, the UAAP Season 85 Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Rookie of the Year in the junior’s division who will turn 14 years old on November 10.

“She very supportive, win or lose. As long as she knows that I gave my best it’s alright, that’s what I learned from her. That’s why it’s a blessing to get four gold medals in this event. I learned so many things, but more importantly the confidence level improved with her presence,” added Catantan, who likewise credited former national team coach and UE mentor Rolando “Amat” Canlas Jr. for guiding her in developing her skills.

In under-30men’s foil, national team member Shawn Felipe clobbered UE’s Brynt Gale 15-9 in the finals. Prince John Francis Felipe – also of the national team – and Keonn Davies of CF/Multiple Intelligence International School settled with the bronze medals.

South Korea’s Geeta Mahesh Nambiar and Lee Yuseok ruled the under-30 saber men’s and women’s divisions.

In epee, Andrea Matias ruled the women’s side, winning 15-7 over De La Salle University’s Cyrra Vergara, while Timothy Gonzales of UP won the men’s division over CF’s Lorenzo Malvar 15-13. Bhea Raguin of UST and Kaya Ednilag of DLSU in women’s epee, and Ramil Encelan Jr. and Faber Cabrera in men’s epee got bronze medals.

The final two days of action will feature competitions in boys and girls U8, U10 and U12 in all three weapons of fencing – foil, epee and saber.