HANGZHOU, China — Charlie Manzano wound up seventh in the final of women’s vault Thursday to cap the Philippines’ gallant campaign in artistic gymnastics of the 19th Asian Games here.
The 17-year-old Manzano posted 12.366 in the afternoon final and performed better than Tokyo Olympian Pratani Nayak of India, who came in eighth and last with a score of 12.350 An Changok and Kim Sonhyang of the People’s Republic of Korea won the gold and silver with 14.049 and 13.600, respectively, at the Huanglong Sports Centre Gymnasium. The bronze went to Linmin Yu of China with 13.533.
Last Wednesday, Kursten Rogue Lopez finished 13th in the final of the women’s individual all-around after placing 18th in the qualifications.
The same thing happened to Manzano, who went a notch higher in the final from the qualification.
“Maganda ang performance nila. I tried not to show it but I was overwhelmed. Nakipag-sabayan sila sa mga Olympians and world champions. And tumataas ang performancse nila from the qualifications to the final,” said coach Naomi Soco.
“On the part of Manzano, she performed better than the Indian who competed in the Tokyo Olympics. We’re happy because it’s the first time that our gymnasts from our grassroots program made it to the finals and this is the Asian Games,” she added.
Members of the artistic gymnastics squad will fly home on Saturday, including members of the men’s team led by Miguel Besana and Justin Ace de Leon.
Gymnastics Association of the Philippines deputy secretary-general Rowena Bautista will stay behind and wait for the arrival of the rhythmic team for the competition scheduled for 6 and 7 October.
Representing the Philippines in rhythmic gymnastics are 17-year-old Breanna Labadan and 20-year-old Daniela dela Pisa, gold medalist in women’s hoop of the 2019 SEA Games.
