Breanna Labadan had a good run in the hoop and ball events to place seventh overall in the 14th Senior Rhythmic Gymnastics Asian Championships yesterday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Labadan showcased the skills she developed during her European training to collect 56.70 points overall in the first two apparatuses to kick off her campaign with the clubs and ribbon events remaining in the competition.
The 31st Hanoi Southeast Asian Games bronze medalist garnered 28.50 points in hoops and 28.20 in ball.
Labadan, who qualified in the FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships, was happy with her performance as she looks forward to a better showing today.
“I’m quite satisfied. I’m happy with what I did today and I believed I worked hard for this,” the 17-year-old Butuan City native said in the opener of the event graced by Philippine Sports Commission chairperson Richard “Dickie” Bachmann, Gymnastics Union president Ali Al-Hitmi and Gymnastics Association of the Philippines president Cynthia Carrion.
“I hope to keep that spot.”
While Labadan put on a good show, compatriots cancer survivor and 2019 30th SEA Games gold medalists Daniela Dela Pisa and Trisha Mae Montifalcon were not as fortunate in the competition that serves as a qualifier for the next world championships set in August in Valencia, Spain.
Dela Pisa, who skipped the hoops event, was running 33rd after scoring 23.15 points in the ball event while Montifalcon scored 20.15 points in her only event — hoops — and was ranked 29th.
Defending women’s all-around champion Takhmina Ikromova of Uzbekistan dominated the show with first place finishes in the hoops and ball with identical scores of 33.70 points each for a total output of 67.40 points.
Not far behind was Kazakhstan’s Elzhana Tanizyeva (65.10) while compatriot Aibota Yertkayzy landed third overall (62.50).
Only the top 18 in the individual all-around and top eight in the apparatus will advance to the final.
