By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Emma Malabuyo came close to a podium finish in the floor exercise of the Baku leg of the 2024 FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup series in Azerbaijan.
The Fil-American standout scored 13.133 in the apparatus final, but it was not enough to overtake her rivals, particularly eventual bronze medalist Kaylia Nemour of Algeria, who posted 13.266.
Austrian Charlize Moerz bagged the gold with 13.566, while China’s Ou Yushan claimed the silver with 13.533.
Fellow Fil-Am Levi Jung-Ruivivar also fell short in her medal bid in uneven bars after placing eighth with 11.900.
Nemour ruled the said apparatus with 15.433, while Italy’s Elisa Iorio (14.300) and American Katelyn Jong (13.733) captured silver and bronze medals.
Despite their failed bids, both Malabuyo and Ruivivar hoped their performances would boost their World Cup rankings – their tickets to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
In the first leg in Cairo, Egypt early in February, Malabuyo made heads turn by winning the silver in the floor exercise.
The last leg of the series will be on April 17 to 20 in Doha, Qatar.
So far, only Carlos Yulo and Aleah Finnegan have qualified for PH gymnasts to the Paris Games.
