Janna Catantan targets Olympic fencing stint like sister Sam

MANILA, Philippines — Fencer Janna Catantan is hoping to follow her sister’s footsteps and make it to the Olympics in 2028. 

Catantan is one of 19 world-class athletes that will receive opportunities for career development under the Atletang Ayala program. 

Her sister Sam made history for the Philippines, becoming the first Filipina fencer to compete in the Olympics in this year’s Paris edition. 

In an interview on Wednesday, Catantan said now that she is part of the program, it will help her moving forward. 

“Super happy po talaga kasi magandang opportunity yung program and super nilu-look forward ko po yung upcoming competitions na sasalihan namin. Kasi yun yung isa sa mga pjnaka-importante na nilo-look forward ko,” she told reporters. 

“It will not just help us improve in sports but also help us qualify in the biggest competitions like the Olympics,” she added. 

Catantan is one of five fencers included in the second batch of the Atletang Ayala program. Noelito Jose, Sammuel Tranquilan, Nathaniel Perez and Nicole Cortey are the other fencers who are also part of the group. 

Paris Olympian rower Joanie Delgaco, Tokyo Olympian taekwondo jin Kurt Barbosa and Paris Paralympian Allain Ganapin likewise belong to the new batch. 

Shooters Amparo Acuña and Franchette Quiroz; taekwondo jins Jessica Canabal, Laila Delo, Veronica Garces and Dave Cea; wrestler Jason Baucas; archers Gabrielle Bidaure and Jonathan Reaport; and judokas John Ferrer and Lea Lopez complete the 19 athletes.

Asked if she wants to make it to the Games with her sister, Catantan answered in the affirmative.

“Yes po. Hopefully po, especially with Atletang Ayala, it may be possible po talaga kasi ma-e-expose na po kami talaga with the competitions na could be stepping stones papunta sa Olympics so possible po. So yes, it's possible,” the student-athlete taking up Occupational Therapy at the University of Santo Tomas said. 

“Lagi lang naman niya [Sam] pong sinasabi sa akin na do my best in everything and talaga pong to be patient lang. Downfall is really part of the process. Lagi lang niyang sinasabi na huwag pong mawalan ng pag-asa. Just keep going po talaga despite the downfall.” 

The elder Catantan ended her Paris Olympic journey against World No. 2 Arianna Erigo in the round of 32 despite suffering a full tear on her ACL. She finished her maiden Olympic stint ranked 32nd.