Returning Maxine Esteban captures silver in African tilt

Maxine Esteban returned from a long injury layoff in style, winning a silver medal in the women’s individual foil category of the 23rd African Fencing Championships.

The Filipino-Ivorian fencing star came back to action after eight months with her last competition being the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she finished 23rd overall before taking time off to nurse a nagging back injury.

“This medal means everything—it’s proof that patience and recovery pay off,” Esteban said.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Maxine Esteban (@themaxfactor)

The 24-year-old Esteban was impressive in her return, pulling off a dominant 15-3 against Algeria’s Malek Tantast in the Round of 16 before gutting out a 15-12 win against Egypt’s Jana Ehab in the quarterfinals. 

She then eliminated another Egyptian bet in Malak Hamza, 15-8, in their semifinals duel. Esteban, however, fell to Sara Hossny in the finals to take home the silver. 

—JKC, GMA Integrated News