DUBAI, UAE – A 13-year-old Filipina girl with a history of winning major championships is inspired by the feat of Carlos Yulo, who won two gold medals at the recently concluded Paris Olympics, to work harder and one day bring home the top prize as a part of the Philippine Olympic team.
“In my free time, I go on social media and scroll through gymnasts’ performances at the Olympics and other competitions. It motivates me to do better every time I perform. I want to represent the Philippines one day,” said Gabrielle Ann Opida Ramos, a ninth-grade student and the youngest of three siblings.
Ramos said he was glued to his seat watching the Euros make history at the Paris Olympics.
Gabrielle Ann Opida Ramos in action. Photo provided.
“Watching the live gymnastics performance, I was stressed out because the scores of the other gymnasts were so close and close. When I saw Carlos Yulo score 15 points in his routine, I could not have been happier or prouder to see such a great team player representing the Philippines win. Of course, as a gymnast, I would be just as happy as him to see his hard work pay off,” said Ramos, whose parents are Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) – father Jefferson is an accountant and mother Venus is a shadow teacher.
Yulo won his first gold medal in the men’s floor exercise. The next day, he won another gold medal on the vault with a 15.116 average. Yulo said he just wanted to do well.
Ramos said the feat “motivates me to work harder to become stronger and more consistent with my movement, flexibility and strength.”
Trophy
Ramos, the only Filipina competing in the tournament, has no shortage of trophies and other prizes herself, coming in second at the Queen Cup in February this year and third at the Gymnastics Solo Cup, the UAE’s biggest international gymnastics tournament.
In May 2023, she won first and third places at the 4th StrixSport International Rhythmic Gymnastics, an event which saw the participation of 30 different international teams and was awarded by the Dubai Sports Council (DSC).
Ramos also won the UAE’s Alem Cup in December last year, winning a gold medal, trophy and certificate.
She similarly thrived with ease in the Category C competitions, taking first place in every competition. Category C is the beginner level.
Gymnast
“When I started competing, I knew I was the only Filipino gymnast, so I told myself to not only impress my teammates, coaches and the audience in the stadium, but also to do my best for the Philippines,” said Ramos, who was born and raised in the UAE.
Ramos, who trains three hours a day, three times a week, has competed against athletes of different nationalities from all over the world. She began her career in the sport at the age of 11 when she won a scholarship that allowed her to attend classes.
Ramos has been passionate about gymnastics since she was 3 years old. —KBK, GMA Integrated News