MANILA – Emma Malabuyo’s bronze medal in the Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Asian Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan has secured her a spot in the Paris Olympics.
This achievement marks a significant milestone in the 21-year-old Filipino-American gymnast’s career.
Competing in the individual all-around event, Malabuyo placed third with a score of 50.398 points, trailing behind China’s Hu Jiafei (50.699 points) and Qin Xinyi (50.566 points). Malabuyo’s teammate, Olympian LeVi Jung-Ruivivar, finished sixth with 49.166 points.
“I’m just so overwhelmed. I’m speechless. I think I’m still shaking just hearing the news. And I’m still like, ‘Is it real?’ Like, I still can’t believe it just because it’s been such a long and arduous path to get here,” Malabuyo told Olympics.com. “I’m in shock and I can’t believe it.”
This triumph came just over a month after Malabuyo fell short at the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup Series in Doha, Qatar, where she didn’t make it to the top two. Reflecting on that experience, she shared, “I was honestly super heartbroken. I pulled all-nighters because I just was so heartbroken and I couldn’t believe it. I was doubting myself.”
Among the first to congratulate Malabuyo was her alma mater, the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
“We are so proud of our 2024 #UCLAOlympian!” UCLA Gymnastics posted on Facebook.
The Philippine Olympic Committee also celebrated her achievement, stating, “Another day, another qualifier! Extremely proud moment for the country as Emma Malabuyo qualifies for the 2024 Paris Olympics.”
LeVi Jung-Ruivivar expressed her joy on Instagram, writing, “Ahhhh so happy,” alongside a photo of Malabuyo.
The Filipino contingent for the July 26 to August 11 Summer Games now includes gymnasts Carlos Yulo and Aleah Finnegan, world No. 2 pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena, boxers Eumir Felix Marcial, Nesthy Petecio, and Aira Villegas, weightlifters Vanessa Sarno, Erleen Ann Ando, and John Febuar Ceniza, rower Joanie Delgaco, and fencer Sam Catantan.
Notably, Yulo secured four gold medals in Uzbekistan in vault, parallel bars, individual all-around, and floor exercise.
Born in California to Filipino parents, Malabuyo was a member of the US national team from 2016 to 2019 and in 2021, where she served as an alternate for the Tokyo Olympics. In 2023, she decided to represent the Philippines.
“Just having that support from my family and representing the Philippines just means so much to me,” she said in a previous interview. “I think also the representation of my culture, that mattered a lot to me.”
(el Amigo/MNM)
