As Rising Stars Walk Out on American Gymnastics, Philippines Makes Major Changes to Retain Next-Gen Headliners

The gymnastics community is abuzz with anticipation and curiosity. The Philippines women’s gymnastics team hints at some major changes for the upcoming Hangzhou Asian Games. In a bid to strengthen its women?s artistic gymnastics squad for the Asian Games, the Gymnastics Association of Philippines (GAP) is making a noteworthy addition to its roster.

Filipino-American gymnast Levi Jung-Ruivivar, a former member of the United States juniors team, has chosen to represent the Philippines after gymnasts Aleah Finnegan and Emma Malabuy walked out from the USAG. The GAP is actively working to include her name in the list of entries submitted to the Asian Games organizing committee, and thus, is schematizing major developments in the organization.?

Levi Jung-Ruivivar Is a Valuable Asset for Team Philippines

The 17-year-old athlete, a rising star in gymnastics, officially joined the Philippines? gymnastics team as a replacement for the injured Emma Lauren Malabuyo. Remarkable for her excellence in the women?s uneven bars and balance beam, Levi brings substantial potential to clinch medals for the Philippines at the Hangzhou Asian Games. Notably, her switch from the USA to the Philippines has been met with great enthusiasm. Especially by GAP President Cynthia Carrion-Norton, who sees Levi as a medal prospect.

This move comes as part of GAP?s strategy to enhance its medal prospects, especially after losing key members of its men?s team. ?We?ve already lost our men?s team and we are fighting for Levi to be included in the Asian Games lineup,?? Cynthia Carrion-Norton stated in a recent interview with Inquirer.

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However, China, the host of the Asian Games this year, has not accepted Levi as an eligible participant in the tournament. ?Levi Jung (Ruivivar) is not yet accepted by China as her name was not in the original list, unfortunately,? remarked President Cynthia Carrion, during a conversation with Philstar GLOBAL.

Gymnasts continue to exit from American gymnastics

After losing Aleah Finnegan and Emma Malabuy, the American Women?s national gymnastics team faced another setback. Just before the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, Levi Jung-Ruivivar decided to represent the Philippines in international championships. The 2006-born gymnast has been representing America since 2016 in several national and international competitions. Interestingly, on 8th September, she took to Instagram and announced that she would join the Philippines? gymnastics team as a replacement for Malabuy. She shared a touching note that expressed her gratitude to America as well as her excitement for this new chapter.

?Hi Everyone, I wanted to announce that moving forward in my gymnastics career I will be competing for the Gymnastics Association of Philippines (GAP). I have truly cherished every opportunity I’ve had while competing nationally and internationally for the United States of America. I will continue to cheer for everyone at USAG,” she wrote in the post.?

While the specifics remain under wraps, the magnitude of these changes hints at a significant turning point in the Philippines’ gymnastics story. The world will be eager to witness the impact of these changes as the Philippines prepares to make its mark on the global gymnastics stage of the Hangzhou Asian Games.

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