Louie Sison
The Philippines is off to a strong start at the 2024 Paris Olympics, with its 22 athletes competing across 9 sports and vying for medals in the world’s biggest sporting stage. As of July 30, 2024, the country has already seen some impressive performances from its Olympians.
Boxing
Filipino boxers have delivered the most promising results so far. Aira Villegas dominated her round-of-32 bout in the women’s 50kg class against Morocco’s Yasmine Mouttaki, advancing to the round of 16 and moving two wins away from securing a medal.
Meanwhile, silver medalist Nesthy Petecio is set to begin her campaign in the women’s 57kg division against India’s Jaismine Lamboria. Petecio aims to go one step further this time and claim the gold that eluded her in Tokyo.
Gymnastics
On the gymnastics front, Carlos Yulo put on a near-flawless performance in the men’s floor exercise qualification, scoring an impressive 14.766 to provisionally take second place. The star gymnast, who narrowly missed out on a medal in this event in Tokyo, looks poised to contend for the top prize in Paris.
Yulo also made the finals of the individual all-around and vault events, boosting his chances of taking home multiple medals.
In the women’s competition, the Fil-Am trio of Aleah Finnegan, Emma Malabuyo, and Levi Jung-Ruivivar began their quest for medals in the all-around qualification. The rising talents are hoping to ride on Yulo’s success and help establish the Philippines as a gymnastics powerhouse.
Fencing
Fencer Samantha Catantan fought bravely against world no. 2 Arianna Errigo of Italy in the table of 32 of the women’s individual foil. Despite battling with a knee injury, the 266th-ranked Catantan gave the top seed all she could handle before bowing out, 15-12.
While her Paris journey ended early, Catantan’s gallant stand against an elite fencer showed that Philippine fencing is on the rise and capable of competing with the world’s best.
Other Sports
In rowing, Joanie Delgaco‘s bid for a quarterfinal berth in the women’s single sculls came up short after she placed fourth in her heat. The Filipina rower will have to go through the repechage round to keep her medal hopes alive.
Over in swimming, Fil-Canadian Kayla Sanchez, a two-time Olympic medalist for Canada, is set to make her Philippine debut in the women’s 100m freestyle heats. Sanchez’s addition to the team is a major boost and raises the country’s profile in the pool.
Judoka Kiyomi Watanabe is also aiming for a better showing in her second straight Olympics after an early exit in Tokyo. She opens her women’s -63kg campaign against China’s Tang Jing.
Looking Ahead
As the Paris Olympics enter its first full week of competition, sports fans back home are eager to see the Philippine flag raised in the medal ceremonies.
With a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars, the Philippines is fielding one of its strongest ever contingents in the Summer Games. The country’s historic performance in Tokyo – which saw weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz win the first ever Olympic gold – has raised expectations and belief that Filipino athletes can compete with and beat the world’s best.
All eyes will be on Yulo, Petecio, Diaz, and the rest of the team as they try to surpass the country’s best ever Olympic haul of 1 gold, 2 silvers, and 1 bronze. But regardless of the final medal tally, the fighting spirit and sportsmanship displayed by these athletes have already made the Philippines proud.
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