The Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP) welcomed gymnasts from 74 countries to Manila on Monday ahead of the 3rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics Junior World Championships. The event will begin Thursday at the Manila Marriott Hotel Grand Ballroom in Newport World Resorts.
“We would like to welcome all our athletes, coaches and officials who are taking part in the world juniors and we are grateful for their enthusiastic response to our international competition,” said GAP President Cynthia Carrion. Participants started arriving over the weekend, with nearly 750 athletes expected to compete.
“This shows the growing interest in this beautiful and dynamic Olympic sport worldwide, so FIG member countries are fielding their promising young gymnasts knowing that this a major stepping stone to their development,” Carrion added.
The Philippines will be represented by Karl Eldrew Yulo, younger brother of two-time Olympic gold medalist Carlos, and Elizabeth Antone. Yulo won silver in men’s vault and Antone took bronze in the women’s all-around at the Asian Artistic Gymnastics Junior Championships in South Korea last June.
“While Paris Olympians Carlos Yulo, Aleah Finnegan and Emma Malabuyo have already proven themselves on the world stage, we need to sustain their gains so this was one of our prime motivations to have the world juniors here,” Carrion said. “We pray that the exposure of our young gymnasts in this prestigious competition will inspire them to excel and perform better when they move up the senior ranks,” she added.
