Emma Malabuya was standing at the crossroads, not knowing where the right way is to her Olympic dream.
The Filipino-American gymnast took a turn and hoped for the best, and it made all the difference as she enters the grand stage in Paris.
Paris 2024 marks Malabuyo’s Olympic debut and alongside compatriots Carlos Yulo, Aleah Finnegan, and Levi Ruivivar, Team Philippines will parade its biggest number of Olympic entries in gymnastics since fielding Norman Henson and Ernesto Beren in the 1968 edition in Mexico City.
The 21-year-old overcame early shortcomings while carrying the flag of the United States, and one key decision–going back to her Filipino roots– led her to achieving that Olympic dream.
Look back on the key events on Malabuyo’s journey to Paris 2024:
2016-2017- Shining, Shimmering Start
Malabuyo made her international debut in March 2016 as part of Team USA’s gold-winning junior team at the 2016 L'International Gymnix tournament, bagging bronze in the all-around competition and two golds on balance beam and floor exercise respectively.
Later that month at the City of Jesolo Trophy, Malabuyo continued to shine, ruling the balance beam event and earning three silver medals in the all-around, uneven bars, and floor exercise.
The then 15-year-old continued to compete representing the U.S.A in various international tournaments, including in the U.S. Classic and the International Junior Gymnastics Competition in Japan before making her pro debut in 2018.
2018-2021 - Life-long Dream Delayed
Malabuyo made her USA women’s gymnast senior debut at the City of Jesolo Trophy, competing individually alongside club teammate Ragan Smith and clinching gold medals in the all-around, balance beam, and floor exercises.
In 2019, she competed in the City of Jesolo Trophy for the first time as a senior member, and became part of the gold-medal winning squad with Sunisa Lee, Shilese Jones, and Gabby Perea in team competition.
Emma also nabbed bronze in the all-around, claimed silver on balance and placed sixth on uneven bars event. Overall, she finished as the third best gymnast in the competition.
As the Tokyo Olympics 2020 loomed, Malabuyo is geared towards accomplishing her life-long dream of making it to the Olympic team.
But this was not Malabuyo's time just yet as she was not able to perform on the mat in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, serving as a U.S. gymnastics team alternate.
Afterwards, Emma thought she might not get that elusive Olympic moment.
Until a special place to her heart provided one last opportunity.
2023- Return to her Filipino roots
Malabuyo, whose grandparents migrated from Manila to the San Francisco Bay Area, announced she is competing for Team Philippines, a decision she felt needed to be made in order to chase that Olympic dream after serving as Team USA alternate.
“I think it definitely played a factor in my motivation to try again in the Olympics. Just because I wasn’t able to compete in the Olympic stage. So I wanted to get a second chance to share with everybody what I’ve been working so hard on.”
[ALSO READ: Fil-Am gymnast Emma Malabuyo looks back on Paris Olympics journey, feels at home with Team Philippines]
June 2023- Historic PH Team Debut
Making the three-year cutoff in filing the rights documents to make the switch, Malabuyo finally debuted for Team Philippines in the 22023 Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Singapore.
And girl, she stood out in a class of her own.
She made history at the Championships by earning the highest-ever placement by a Filipina gymnast, winning silver on floor exercise.
Emma also helped the country finish fifth in the team event and added a fifth-place finish in the balance beam and with the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup Series up next, the Filipino-American is booming on confidence to finally seal an Olympic slot.
And about that…
April 20, 2024- Missed Chance
Malabuyo fell short of a coveted spot in Paris 2024 following the conclusion of the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup Series in Doha, Qatar.
Serving in an Olympic Games Paris 2024 qualifying event, Emma fell short of a coveted Olympic spot after finishing outside the top two in the conclusion of the tournament.
She finished behind Austria’s Charlize Moerz and Spain’s Laura Casabue, who clinched the Olympic berths up for grabs in the apparatus.
Malabuyo had remained in contention for a Paris berth going into the final, but she needed the trailing Casabuena – who toted 45 points earned from two World Cup legs – to finish no higher than third among the Olympic eligible athletes.
Unfortunately for Malabuyo, Casabuena got 30 points despite the fact that she placed third overall in the final.
With the upcoming Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, the pressure is on for the UCLA Bruin to stand among the rest and be the best eligible all-around gymnast if she still wants to qualify for Paris 2024.
May 25, 2024- Dream Delayed is not Dream Denied
Malabuyo made a podium finish in the Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships, bagging the bronze medal
But it was the most precious bronze medal of her gymnastics career because the third-place finish was enough to book her a Paris Olympics slot.
[ALSO READ: Emma Malabuyo becomes fourth Filipino gymnast to qualify for 2024 Paris Olympics]
Malabuyo scored a total 50.398 points in the continental and is the highest-ranked athlete eligible for the quota, as confirmed by the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines, the Philippine Olympic Committee, and the Philippine Sports Commission.
In an Instagram post, she admitted that she was afraid to go for the Olympic dream one last time but was more terrified of not trying at all.
Malabuyo’s resolve proves to not be shaken easily as she gave the all around for Asian Championships a shot for her final stretch in reaching for a spot in the Olympics.
“I have never fought for something so hard in my life. Went out there with passion, fight, resilience, and grit.” she posted.
Right now, Malabuyo is keeping the same fire burning as she prepares for her Olympic debut, hungrier than ever in hopes of bringing home the country’s first Olympic medal from gymnastics.
Just as when opportunity meets preparation, can Emma keep this flame burning until the 2024 Olympic Games Paris when it matters the most?
Story summary:
· Emma Malabuyo, a Filipino-American gymnast, faced various challenges and missed opportunities before finally securing her spot in the Paris 2024 Olympics. Despite early successes with Team USA, she failed to make the Tokyo 2020 Olympic team and later switched to represent the Philippines in a bid to achieve her Olympic dream.
· Malabuyo's decision to represent the Philippines in 2023 was pivotal, leading to historic performances, including a silver medal at the Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships. This decision and her continued dedication helped her overcome previous setbacks and reignite her Olympic aspirations.
· After narrowly missing out on an Olympic spot during the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup Series, Malabuyo finally secured her place for Paris 2024 by winning a bronze medal at the Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships. This achievement underscored her determination and resilience in pursuing her Olympic dream.
[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital team. The summary was generated by AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]