Maxine Esteban explains decision to switch nationalities

Maxine Esteban broke her silence on her decision to change nationalities from representing the Philippines to bannering Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) in fencing competitions.

The 22-year-old fencer is switching citizenship in part due to her pursuit of her dream of making the 2024 Paris Olympics, but said that it was also a matter of "self-respect".

Esteban recently improved to world no. 46 in the global rankings for the women's foil category, which is the highest rank ever by any Filipina fencer. Last week, she also finished on the podium in the African Championships in Egypt.

"Now, I can say that I am in the right physical and mental space to compete for an Olympic appearance in Paris 2024," Esteban said in a statement.

"The road ahead is still long and filled with uncertainties and challenges, but at least now, there is a road."

Esteban said that she tried her best to make the Olympic dream happen with the Philippines.

"A lot of people have been asking about my decision. Yes, I am focused on achieving my Olympic dream. However, more than that dream, it was self-respect," she said. "Sometimes, we must give ourselves enough respect to walk away from something that doesn’t value our worth.  I want everyone to know that I did everything humanely possible to fulfill this long-time dream with the Filipino flag sewn on my uniform."

"But a series of unfortunate events — very little of which I had any control over — forced me to chase my dream in a distant, yet familiar land."

Esteban said she would one day share the story of the challenges and experiences she went through leading to the decision.

"I will tell my story someday, that much I can guarantee," she said.

"There is so much to learn from my experience, every heartache and frustration I had to endure, so that the things I went through never happen to any Filipino athlete again — especially those who dream of flying the Philippine flag on sports’ grandest stage."

In her statement, she also thanked the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) for writing the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to waive the three-year residency requisite, which would allow her a shot at qualification for Paris 2024.

POC president Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino had previously expressed support for Esteban's decision.

"It's OK with us. She can share her talents too and help develop fencing in that small country," Tolentino told GMA Integrated News earlier this month.

Esteban is a four-time Southeast Asian Games medalist and a four-time UAAP champion. The young fencer was sidelined for some time after sustaining an ACL injury during her stint at the 2022 World Fencing Championship in Cairo in July 2022.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News