The Gymnastics Association of the Philippines is eyeing Filipino-American gymnast Emma Malabuyo to join Carlos Yulo and Aleah Finnegan in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Gymnastics Association of the Philippines president Cynthia Carrion told DAILY TRIBUNE that the University of California-Los Angeles gymnast has the potential to join the Philippine delegation that also has boxers Nesthy Petecio, Aira Villegas and Eumir Marcial as well as pole vaulter EJ Obiena.
Malabuyo entered in three legs of the FIG Apparatus World Cup and got in the final of the Baku leg last Sunday where she finished fourth place in the women’s floor exercise with 13.133 points.
“The most important thing why we were in Baku was for the girls. Carlos already qualified so he is just practicing his new skills,” Carrion said in a phone conversation.
“Emma has more chances than Levi (Jung-Ruivivar) because her floor exercise is very good.”
The 21-year-old Mountain View, California native showed her potential in making the grade for the Summer Games after snagging a silver medal in the Cottbus leg of the World Cup in Germany last month.
Malabuyo has two ways of getting into Paris.
First is if she maintains her overall ranking in the World Cup where she is currently at second place in the floor exercise after three editions.
Only the top two gymnasts per apparatus will be granted automatic berths to Paris and Malabuyo can solidify her rank when she competes in the Doha leg from 17 to 20 April.
She can also qualify if she comes up with impressive showing in the individual all-around of the 11th Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Tashkent in May.
With powerhouses such as China, South Korea and Japan already assured of their slots in previous tournaments, Malabuyo has to make sure to get a high ranking in the Asian Championships.
