American Gymnastics at Grave Loss as Another Rising Star Walks Out 3-Weeks Before World Championships

The gymnastics world is all set with excitement for the upcoming 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships. However, just three weeks before the big event, a surprising twist in the teams has left the sports world in disbelief. Following Simone Biles’ recent triumph, where she, the most celebrated athlete, secured her eighth title, expectations for American gymnastics were soaring. Yet, another young gymnast has chosen to step away from the American team, leaving fans shocked and disheartened.

Fil-American gymnast Levi Jung-Ruivivar, who was a prominent member of the United States junior gymnastics team, made the decision to represent the Philippines and not America anymore. This development comes as the second high-profile departure, following in the footsteps of Emma Malabuyo. It’s a turn of events that has cast a shadow over the American team’s preparations, as they grapple with the loss of yet another rising star.

A journey towards a new home in gymnastics

According to ‘Philstar Global News’, Filipino-American gymnast Levi Jung-Ruivivar officially announced the news in her Instagram post. She expressed her heartfelt appreciation for the opportunities she had representing the United States both nationally and internationally.

She wrote, “I wanted to announce that moving forward in my gymnastics career, I will be competing for the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP). I have truly cherished every opportunity I’ve had while competing nationally and internationally for the United States of America.”

At just 17 years old, Jung-Ruivivar is poised to bring her talents to the Philippines. She’s set to compete in international events, including the upcoming Asian Games in China. While this transition represents a significant change, Jung-Ruivivar remains resolute in her dreams.

She stated, ?While this will be an adjustment, I still plan on pursuing my dreams of making the Olympics in 2024 and performing to the absolute best of my ability. I will continue to train at WOGA, but I am so excited to get the opportunity to represent the Philippines Internationally.?

Joining the ranks of Fil-Am gymnasts, Aleah Finnegan, Kylee Kvamme, and Emma Lauren Malabuyo, Jung-Ruivivar’s decision is poised to reshape the gymnastics community. Along similar lines, it will boost the Philippine team’s potential on the global stage. Unfortunately, Ruivivar isn’t the first athlete to walk out. This year, another gymnastic prodigy added her name to the Philippines team.

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Emma Malabuyo’s departure from the American junior team

In June 2023, Emma Malabuyo took a groundbreaking step by announcing her choice to represent the Philippines in international gymnastics competitions. She marked her debut with the Philippine team at the Asian Championships, contributing to their impressive fifth-place finish. Her gymnastics journey took a significant turn in 2021 when she delivered an exceptional performance at the U.S. Championships.

She expressed, “Competing for the Philippines, I have complete ownership of my own 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.”

In essence, she continued to shine on the UCLA women’s gymnastics team and established herself as a standout athlete.

As fans eagerly await the World Championships, Asian and Filipino-American gymnast decision has introduced a fresh dimension that could potentially influence the course of gymnastics history, either by setting new records or challenging existing ones.

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