Another Fil-Am gymnast has made the switch.
It seems like more and more athletes are ready to make the switch and represent the Philippines.
Filipino-American gymnast Levi Jung-Ruivivar is the latest one after announcing her intention to pursue her gymnastics career while proudly wearing the Philippine national colors.
“I wanted to announce that moving forward in my gymnastics career, I will be competing for the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP),” Jung-Ruivivar wrote in her Instagram post.
Jung-Ruivivar, who traces her Filipino roots to her father Anthony, who was born in Hawaii, was previously a member of the United States junior gymnastics team.
“My poppie grew up in the Philippines before immigrating to the USA as a young adult… Growing up, Filipino culture has been a very important part of my life and I am beyond grateful to connect to my Filipino culture through my love for gymnastics,” said Jung-Ruivivar.
The 17-year-old Jung-Ruivivar will join the stacked Philippine gymnastics team, which also includes Filipino-Americans Aleah Finnegan, Kylee Kvamme, and Emma Lauren Malabuyo.
Finnegan and Kvamme have already secured spots in the upcoming world championships in Antwerp, Belgium next month.
Jung-Ruiviar will join Malabuyo, who also recently made the switch to compete for the Philippines, in the upcoming Asian Games.
Of course, the goal for these athletes will be qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics—something that Jung-Ruivivar is hoping to achieve.
“I am beyond excited for the opportunities I will have competing for the Philippines at the Asian Games this September and moving forward,” said Jung-Ruiviar. “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.”
(CF)