Samantha Catantan advances, then loses in women's foil

Filipino athlete Samantha Catantan advanced but ultimately lost in the women's individual foil event at the Paris Olympics on Sunday, July 28.

Despite playing through a knee injury sustained during the Southeast Asian Games last year and being ranked 266th globally, Catantan narrowly edged out Brazil's Mariana Pistoia with a score of 15-13 in her first match.

Catantan faced top seed and two-time world champion Arianna Errigo from Italy at 4:25 p.m. (Philippine time) but lost to the Olympic silver medalist with a close score of 15-12, ending her Olympic debut.

Rower Joanie Delgaco also competed in the women's single sculls repechage at Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium, needing to finish within the top two to advance to the quarterfinals.

Filipina boxers including Aira Villegas and gymnasts Aleah Finnegan, Emma Malabuyo, and Levi Jung-Ruivivar will begin their campaigns in various events throughout the day.