Fil-Am fencer nails second Olympic gold

MANILA, Philippines — Fencing is one sport in the Paris Olympics where the Philippines has “technically” three reasons to be proud of.

Lee Kiefer, a Filipino-American, was the biggest of them all, delivering an effort for the ages by capturing her second straight Olympic gold medal in women’s individual foil at the expense of fellow American Lauren Scruggs in a one-sided 15-6 victory.

While she carried the United States flag, the Filipinos in Paris cheered for the 30-year-old Lexington, Kentucky native as her mother, Teresa, hails from Tagum, Davao del Norte.

It was a proud moment not just for Kiefer, but also for the Philippines, in search of a second Olympic gold after weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz’ breakthrough triumph in Tokyo three years ago.

Filipinos also rooted for Sam Catantan, the country’s top fencer who was valiant before falling short in a heartbreaking 15-12 defeat to top seed Arianna Errigo of Italy in the table-of-32.

Same with Maxine Esteban, a Filipina who represented Ivory Coast, bowing to France’s Pauline Ranvier, 15-7.

Good thing Kiefer was there to save the day and give the country something to cheer for.