DISCOVERING the next Simon Biles or Carlos Edriel Yulo.
Gymnastics Association of the Philippines president Cyntia Carrion and visiting International Gymnastics Federation officials are confident that the 3rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics Junior World Championships set from Nov. 20 to 24 at the Manila Marriott Hotel will be a fertile breeding ground for that.
Organized by the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines and sanctioned by the International Gymnastics Federation, known by its French acronym FIG, and the Asian Gymnastics Union, the gymnastics festival will gather junior standouts who could be the next Simone Biles and Carlos Edriel Yulo, who garnered two golds for the Philippines in the Paris Olympic Games last year.
“The Artistic Gymnastics World Junior World Championships will be a showcase of young talent never seen anywhere before, a breeding ground where these outstanding athletes can shine, excel and display their skills and prowess,” Carrion said during the event’s media launch at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of the Newport World Resorts Mall.
Among those she expects to shine is Yulo’s younger sibling, Karl Eldrew, who is now training in Tokyo, Japan, under celebrated Japanese mentor Munehiro Kugiimiya.
“We are grateful anew for FIG President Morinari Watanabe for trusting the GAP and yours truly to host this blue-ribbon competition,” added Carrion of the championships that will be for MAG gymnasts from 16 to 18 years old and WAG gymnasts from 14 to 16 years old.
In the presence of top FIG technical officials and private and government leaders, she announced that close to 1,000 athletes from 79 countries have already registered more than two months before the championships.
Also present was Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Patrick Gregorio, an advocate of sports tourism, who vowed the government sports agency’s full support for the tournament.
Among those present were FIG Men Artistic Gymnastics Technical Committee President Andrew Tombs, Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Technical Committee President Donatella Sacchi, MAG Senior Events Manager Stepane Detraz and WAG Senior Events Manager Celine Cachemaille.
They arrived last Wednesday to personally inspect the host association’s preparations for the meet, including the impressive Manila Marriott Hotel Grand Ballroom, where the Asian Olympic Qualifying Tournament in 2015 was staged, which will serve as the playing arena for the athletes.
Carrion said the numbers have already surpassed the 283 athletes and from 64 nations who took part in the second edition of the tournament in Antalya, Turkey two years ago “and we look forward to even more participants as the event draws near.”
She said that this progressive development is a sign of the immense global popularity of the eye-pleasing and dynamic Olympic sport, and that the 3rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics Junior World Championships will be a further catalyst to its growth.
Along this line, she took the occasion to unveil the tournament’s official slogan, “Leap High, Flip Strong!” that encourages the participants to take a leap of faith in cultivating a positive mindset amid the pressures of performing well.
“This is essential for success in any endeavor, including the demanding sports of gymnastics.”
Carrion assured all of the delegates they would be able to experience the famed Filipino hospitality in a safe, secure, comfortable and festive atmosphere during their stay in the country.
