FILIPINO sports fans will have an opportunity to watch gymnasts that could very well be the medalists in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles when the country hosts the 3rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics Junior World Championships from November 20 to 24 at the Manila Marriot Hotel.
Key International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) officials said standouts in past editions of the junior world showpiece made their mark in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, and they expect the same thing to happen in this year’s competition.
“The Junior Worlds is the launch of future Olympic stars,” said FIG men’s artistic gymnastics technical committee president Andrew Tombs during the event’s media launch at the Newport World Resorts. “This is not a small event. This is a major stepping stone for stars of the future.”
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“In 2019, in the first edition, the young gymnast on the men's side, called Oka (Shinnosuke) from Japan, won the Junior World Championships. And in Paris last year, he went on to be the all-around Olympic champion.
“In 2023, a gymnast named Angel (Barajas) from Colombia was the silver medalist in that world championships and last year in Paris, he went on to win a high bar medal.
“So the third edition, we’re hoping to see Olympic stars of the future and I hear you have a young gymnast named Eldrew who may well go on, I hope, to follow in the footsteps of his brother and be an Olympic champion,” said Tombs.
Tombs was, of course, referring to Eldrew Yulo, the brother of two-time Olympic champion Carlos who will be the lone male representative of the Philippines in the junior world championship. Elisabeth Antone will be the only female competitor of the country in the same tilt.
FIG officials are also in town to inspect the venue, and Tombs gave high marks to the preparation of GAP under the leadership of president Cynthia Carrion.
“Already from our first day, it’s clear that the local organizing committee led by Cynthia is well-prepared. The facility in the Marriott Resort is exceptional. The venue, the size, and also the hotels to be close to the competition arena is very special. It makes the event easy for the federations coming to the championships. So for sure, I think you’re well set up. We’re certainly looking forward to coming back,” said Tombs.
A total of 83 countries have already indicated their participation, surpassing the 64 nations that took part in the 2023 edition in Antalya, Turkey for men’s artistic gymnastics (MAG) athletes aged 16 to 18, and women’s artistic gymnastics (WAG) athletes aged 14 to 16.
“This is a dream for many young gymnasts. This is an important step in their career because for the first time, they will appear on the world stage. And I would like also to mention that for some of them, it is an important step to dream, and to be part of the Youth Olympic Games next year,” said FIG women’s artistic gymnastics technical committee president Donatella Sacchi.
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