Six Filipino athletes are vying for gold at the upcoming Paris Olympics, building on the Philippines’ historic performance in Tokyo. Among them are world-renowned figures like Ernest John Obiena in pole vaulting, Carlos Edriel Yulo in gymnastics, and Olympic medalists in boxing Eumir Marcial and Nesthy Petecio.
One pole vaulter, two gymnasts, and three boxers have so far claimed their spots in the Philippine delegation to the world’s quadrennial games scheduled from July to August 2024.
In the last Summer Games held in Tokyo, the country’s 19-member delegation made history by securing the biggest medal haul for Filipinos and the nation’s first-ever gold medal at the Olympics won by Filipina weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz. The Philippine Olympic Committee is preparing to send a similar number of athletes to Paris as several standouts are still vying for qualifying spots.
Here are the six athletes already preparing for Paris:
Ernest John Obiena (Pole Vault)
Ernest John “EJ” Obiena is the World No. 2 in Men’s Pole Vault and a two-time World Medalist who is set to challenge other nations’ champions at the Olympics.
The 28-year-old is the Asian Record Holder in Outdoor and Indoor pole vaulting and is the first and only Asian in the elite 6-metre club of athletes who have breached the height.
EJ Obiena was the first Filipino athlete to qualify for Paris with his silver-winning jump at the Stockholm Diamond League event on July 3, 2023.
Carlos Edriel Yulo (Gymnastics)
Carlos “Caloy” Edriel Yulo is a two-time FIG Worlds champion in artistic gymnastics who is eyeing an Olympic medal in Paris.
The 24-year-old is a four-time World Cup winner, a six-time Asian champion and nine-time Southeast Asian Games champion.
Caloy Yulo is the second Filipino to qualify for the Paris Olympics with his floor exercise routine at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Antwerp, Belgium, on October 1, 2023.
Aleah Finnegan (Gymnastics)
Aleah Finnegan Cruz made the history books as the first Filipino female gymnast to qualify for the Olympics in 60 years.
The former United States Gymnastics team member started competing under the Philippines’ colors at the 2022 SEA Games in Vietnam and won two gold medals. Finnegan also won two bronze medals at the Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships.
The 21-year-old qualified for Paris during her stint at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Antwerp on October 3, 2023.
Eumir Marcial (Boxing)
Eumir Marcial is aiming to better his bronze medal from the Tokyo Olympics.
The 28-year-old champion boxer is set to compete in the 80kg division after the 75kg class where he won his Olympic medal was taken out in the upcoming Games.
Eumir Marcial qualified for Paris with his performance at the 19th Asian Games on October 4, 2023.
Nesthy Petecio (Boxing)
Nesthy Petecio is an Olympic silver medalist looking to claim the next gold for the Philippines.
The 31-year-old female boxer returns to the featherweight 57kg division where she won her medal in Tokyo.
Nesthy Petecio claimed her ticket to the Paris Olympics with her performance at the World Qualification Tournament in Italy on March 11, 2024.
Aira Villegas (Boxing)
Aira Villegas makes her Olympics debut in Paris, expanding the Philippine boxing team to three.
The 29-year-old Filipina boxer from Leyte will compete in the women’s flyweight 50kg, the same division where she won a bronze at the Korotkov Memorial Boxing Championships in Russia.
Aira Villegas earned a spot in the Philippine delegation to the Olympics with her performance at the World Qualification Tournament in Italy on March 11, 2024.
These athletes are not just competitors, they are national heroes. These Filipinos’ journey to Paris is a testament to their hard work, and they carry the hopes of a nation eager for Olympic glory.
Support our athletes and share their inspirational stories as they prepare to shine on the world stage. Let’s rally behind Team Philippines and spread the word about their quest for gold in Paris!
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