“I was 12 when I first picked up a fencing sword,” Esteban recalls. “Five months later, I won my first competition.” Her sudden rise was no fluke; it was the result of her hard work and talent. From there, she dreamt bigger; and with passion and patriotism, it led her to represent the Philippines on some of the biggest stages and achieve historical firsts for the country. 

After triumphing over life-altering injuries, a nationality switch, and big life changes to become an icon of inspiration for athletes, especially young girls, Esteban is set to reach her Olympic dreams of representing the Ivory Coast.

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Maxine Esteban’s road to her Olympic dreams has been anything but smooth. Her qualification was the affirmation she needed to believe she was on the right path despite the many challenges she faced along the way.

She had several major setbacks, including a severe injury in her hand in 2015 that almost made her quit fencing, but she refused to let go of her dream. Several years later, she also suffered a debilitating ACL tear that clouded her aspirations.

Three major surgeries and extensive rehabilitation, coupled with the demands of balancing her academic schedule at the University of Pennsylvania, made her question whether continuing the sport was worth the pain and struggle. 

“Being physically and mentally drained, lack of sleep, and undergoing long rehabilitations while carrying the pressure to perform in competitions were tough,” she recalls. “But what kept me going was the belief that there is no gain without pain.”

Now, she has graduated summa cum laude and recently reached number 27 in the world rankings, just a few weeks ahead of her participation in the Olympics.

“People sometimes discredit my ranking, saying it’s because I join all the competitions,” she says. “But rankings are based on results, not participation. For me, being ranked 27th is a culmination of a decade of hard work, sacrifice and overcoming pain,” she sets the record straight.

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Adding to her challenges, Maxine Esteban faced the monumental decision to change her nationality in sports, which raised significant uncertainties about her future in fencing. 

The move to represent the Ivory Coast was a turning point in the Filipina fencer’s career. Beyond finding a place in the team, she also found a community that welcomed her with open arms. “The entire nation of Ivory Coast has embraced me,” she shares. “When I qualified for the Paris Olympics, our national team coach called me, saying the entire country was celebrating.”

While representing the Philippines, Maxine Esteban earned a bronze medal in foil at the 2017 Southeast Asian Games and clinched silver in team foil at the 2019 and 2021 events.

“The feeling of winning for the country is unmatched. And because of that, I started to dream bigger and work harder. I started dreaming of trying to qualify for the Olympics,” she shares.

Qualifying for the Paris Olympics became the definitive answer to all her doubts. With her ticket to Paris in hand, she is now fully committed to making the most of this hard-earned opportunity. She is ready to pour all her energy and determination into achieving her Olympic dream.

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Although the move was bittersweet, Maxine Esteban is still a Filipina through and through. “I was born and raised in the Philippines, and I spent my entire fencing career representing my country. I will forever be Filipino at heart,” she asserts.

“Life moves us to circumstances beyond our control, and I’m very fortunate that Ivory Coast offered me not just a place in the team but also the support and the love of a new home,” she reflects. “I will always continue to support Philippine sports.”

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This dual identity allows her to inspire young athletes in both countries. “I want to show that challenges and setbacks can be overcome, and nothing is impossible if you pour your heart into it,” she says. Her changing national affiliations have given her a unique role to inspire young athletes, especially girls, from two nations.

“I wish to empower young girls across the world to know how to stand up not only for excellence and empowerment, but also equality and fairness,” she says. “Because in life, we have to respect ourselves enough to walk away from something that doesn’t value us. You, alone, can chart your own destiny.”

As she prepares to compete on the world’s biggest stage, Maxine Esteban is filled with a mix of nerves and excitement. “I know that mental state is crucial in fencing, so I need to stay calm and focused,” she explains. 

Her main goal is to enjoy the experience and perform her best, embodying the grace and strength that fencing requires. “Fencing teaches me the grace of a woman and the strength of a man. It’s like physical chess, a mental game as much as a physical one,” she describes.

From the ice rinks of Manila to the fencing pistes of the world, Esteban’s journey to the Olympics is one of Filipino resilience, dedication and unyielding spirit. “The hardest climbs come with the best views,” she says, embodying the spirit of a true champion.

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