Top Filipino fencer Samantha Catantan braces for an uphill climb as she makes her Olympic debut in Paris in two months.

Catantan, a former UE Red Warrior, will be writing history as she becomes the first female fencer to represent the country in the quadrennial meet and 32 years since Walter Torres donned the national colors in the 1992 Barcelona edition.

The 22-year-old fencer expressed her excitement but expects a tough task ahead against veteran rivals in the French capital.

“Lagi po naming ibibigay namin ang best namin to perform at the highest level, siyempre mataas ang expectation ko sa sarili ko and at the same time din alam kong hindi lang po ako ang nagtatrabaho,” said Catantan in Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum presented by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, Smart/PLDT, and ArenaPlus, the leading sports entertainment gateway in the Philippines.

“Alam ko po na ang ibang fencers from different countries have been working hard not just this year but after Tokyo (Olympics) grabe na po ang training na pinagdadaanan nila,” she added.

National coach Amat Canlas, who has witnessed the struggles and victories of the Filipina fencer throughout her career, knew his protege could pull off surprises in the grandest stage.

“Talagang navision kona na magtatagumpay ‘tong bata na to eh, masunuring ‘tong bata,” Canlas said.

“Ganun nalang din po ang iisipin natin magenjoy lang and ibigay ang best to prepare for it, and belief po na kayang makaabot hanggang dulo,”

The Penn State U ace defied odds after taking a 15-14 win against her taller rival Sofiya Aktayeva of Kazakhstan in the women’s individual foil final of the Asia-Oceania Qualification Tournament in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates last month.

“Nothing is impossible,” Catantan continued.

The SEAG multi-medalist will stay in the country for two weeks before plunging into training from June 12 to 29 in Venice, Italy.

Catantan and Canlas will then join hands for a training camp in France before entering the Olympic Village on July 25.