By MARK REY MONTEJO
Fil-American gymnast Emma Malabuyo expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to represent the Philippines in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
In a social media post, Malabuyo said her maiden appearance at the sports’ biggest stage is “A day I will remember for the rest of my life.”
“The endless amount of love and support is unmatched,” she wrote. “Forever grateful to have this opportunity of a lifetime competing at the Paris Olympics.”
Malabuyo was the last Filipino gymnast to qualify in Paris following her bronze-medal victory in the individual all-around at the Asian Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan last May.
She admitted in previous interviews that she lost her confidence of earning a berth to the Olympics after falling short in the International Gymnastics Federation’s World Cup series early this year.
But that heartbreak turned into inspiration after catching the last Olympic bus in Tashkent.
“My parents reminded me of, like, ‘You know what? Just try doing all around for the Asian Championships. Just give it your all and just see what happens,'” she said on Olympics.com last May.
Malabuyo, who was once an alternate gymnast for Team USA, finished 41st in the all-around qualifications.
