After Representing Team USA in Tokyo, Philippines Gymnast Gears Up for Paris Olympics

“Is it real?” – Emma Malabuyo might need someone to pinch her real quick because the gymnast will now be competing at the French capital, a full circle moment for her! As a little girl, all she ever wanted to do was compete on the world’s biggest stage. Malabuyo partially fulfilled this dream when she qualified as an alternate for Team USA at the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials. Unfortunately, all she could do was watch her teammates compete in the Japanese capital from the comfort of her couch. And with this, the gymnast bid adieu to her Olympic dreams for good. Or so she thought until life decided to surprise her for her valiance!

The Filipino-American decided to focus on her collegiate gymnastics career and joined the UCLA gymnastics program. Malabuyo found her footing and continued to impress with her stellar performances at several events. This brings us to 2023. A fateful call from the Filipino National team rekindled her dreams. They asked her to represent the nation in a few competitions, hoping she could secure a spot in the upcoming summer games. The gymnast’s grandparents grew up in Philippines and she has always connected to her heritage, but this opportunity made that connection stronger.

A new beginning for Emma Malabuyo at the French capital

Emma Malabuyo was set to secure her spot at the 2024 Paris Olympics by contesting in the 2024 World Cup Series. However, it wasn’t enough to push her through. “After the last World Cup, I remember I pulled two all-nighters. I couldn’t sleep afterwards. I was so heartbroken, and I don’t think I’ve ever been in such a low point in my life before.” But with just 4 weeks to go, the gymnast shifted her focus to the 2024 Asian Championships, Uzebekistan in May.

The gymnast was competing in an international all-around event for the first time since 2021. However, much to her surprise, she wasn’t as rusty as she thought. She placed third in the event with 50.398 on 24th May, making her the highest-placing Filipino gymnast in the history of the championships. With this, Malabuyo had clinched a second chance for her Olympic dreams. In a conversation with Daily Bruin, she opens up on what that feeling was like. “It was such a surreal moment.” But the gymnast wasn’t expecting this outcome.

Emma Malabuyo had already watched her dreams shatter back in 2021, “I was just closing my eyes and holding hands with everybody, but when we found out.” Even though the suspense was eating her up, it was all worth it for her. “But when we found out, we all screamed, and everybody just gave me hugs.” Janelle McDonald, the UCLA gymnastics coach, accompanied Malabuyo in Uzbekistan and will be her personal coach as she prepares to contest at the Bercy Arena in Paris.

After failing to qualify at this year’s World Cup series, the gymnast couldn’t get past the gloomy feelings of self doubt. However, her parents’ reassurance and support kept her moving forward. “My parents reminded me of, like, ‘You know what? Just try doing all around for Asian Championships. Just give it your all and just see what happens.” Even though she didn’t think she would make it to the Olympics, she just wanted to do her best at the championships. And it worked!

Her first Olympic stint didn’t pan out the way she intended it to

At the Dome in St. Louis, Emma Malabuyo stepped on to the mat with one goal in mind: to qualify for the 2021 Summer Games. But she was up against the corps d’elite like Simone Biles, Suni Lee, Jordan Chiles and more. However, she gave it her all and scored 110.531 in the all-around event. Unfortunately, this wasn’t enough to secure a spot in the Final Five. Even though this wasn’t the result she was hoping for, she was happy to have made the team as an alternate.

With Tokyo behind her, she then decided to step down from the U.S. National Team and focus on her collegiate gymnastics career. She soon realized that this was for the best. “I can be myself. I can dance, I can smile, I can do all these things while I’m working hard. I do a lot better when I am being myself.” Shortly after in 2023, the gymnast announced she will be representing the Philippines from here on. The gymnast made her debut in the Asian Champions, and her stellar performance in the floor event helped her clinch a silver medal.

Emma Malabuyo helped them secure the fifth place at the championships too! She stated that since making the switch; she feels like she has ownership of her gymnastics. “I have that leadership role over what I’m training, what I’m doing, so that’s definitely different, just having that flexibility and ownership over my own gymnastics.” The gymnast continued to contest in several collegiate events while balancing her international events too.

Looks like all her hard work finally paid off. In 2 days, the Opening Ceremony will commence on the Seine River. The women’s gymnastics events will take place at the Bercy Arena from 28th July at the French capital. After an incredibly arduous journey, Malabuyo is still shocked from the outcome. “I’m just so overwhelmed. I’m speechless. I think I’m still shaking just hearing the news,” she told Olympics.com. But now that she’s made it, will she clinch an Olympic gold for the Philippines in Paris? Only time will tell.