Olympic-bound Fil-Ivorian fencer claims silver in African Championships

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino fencer Maxine Esteban geared up for her stint in the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics with a silver medal finish in women’s individual foil at the 2024 African Championships in Casablanca earlier this week.

Esteban, who switched federations to represent the Ivory Coast, dominated the competition as she only absorbed a narrow 8-9 defeat in the gold medal match to take the runner-up finish.

The former Ateneo athlete swept pool play to get to the knockout rounds where she claimed her spot in the championship round at the expense of Egypt’s Malak Hamza, 15-6.

But Esteban was foiled in the championship match by Hamza’s compatriot, Yara Elsharkawy as she edged the former Philippine fencer for the top honors.

The 23-year-old thus continued her preparations for the Summer Games where she will be competing under the banner of Ivory Coast.

Noha Hany and Hamza took the bronze medals to complete the podium in women’s individual foil.