Young Pinay gymnast in UAE inspired by Carlos Yulo's double gold win

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – A 13-year-old Filipino woman here who has won in major competitions is considering the double gold feat by Carlos Yulo in the recently concluded Paris Olympics as inspiration to work harder and someday be part of the Philippine Olympics team bringing home the top prize.

“In my free time, I would open my social media and scroll through any performance of any gymnast in the Olympics or in any other competitions, and it prompts me to do better in every performance I do. I would like to represent Philippines someday,” said Gabrielle Anne Opida Ramos, ninth grade student and youngest of three siblings. 

Ramos said she was riveted to her seat watching Yulo make history at the Paris Olympics.

“When I was watching the live performance for gymnastics, my stress was to the top because of how intense and close the scores of the other athletes were. Once I saw Carlos Yulo score a 15 in his routine, I’ve never been so happy and proud to see an amazing team player representing the Philippines to win, because of course, as a rhythmic gymnast, I would feel as joyful as he did seeing his hard work paying off,” said Ramos, whose parents are both overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), her father, Jefferson, being an accountant and her mother, Venus, a shadow teacher.

 

Yulo bagged his first gold after competing in the men’s floor exercise. The following day, he won another gold scoring an average of 15.116 on the vault. Yulo said he was just hoping to perform well.

Ramos said the feat “inspired me to work harder to be strong and consistent with the movements, flexibility and body I have.”

Trophies

Ramos, the only Filipino to join in the competitions, has no shortage of trophies and other prizes, herself. She won 2nd place in The Queen Cup in February this year and 3rd place in Gymnastika Solo Cup in rhythmic gymnastics, the biggest international gymnastics cup in the UAE.
 
In May 2023, she won 1st and 3rd place at the IV Stryx Sports International Rhythmic Gymnastics. The event featured 30 different international teams and was recognized by Dubai Sports Council (DSC).  

Ramos also won 1st place at the Alem Cup UAE in December last year, where she got a gold medal, a trophy and a certificate.

She has likewise breezed through Category C competitions, winning 1st place in all matches. Category C is the beginner level.

Gymnast

“When I first started competing, knowing I was the only Filipino gymnast, made me tell myself to do my best to not only impress my teammates, coaches and the people in the stadium but to also do it for the Philippines,” said Ramos, who was born and raised in the UAE.

Ramos, who trains for three hours thrice a week, has competed with different nationalities from around the world. She started her journey into the sport after winning a scholarship which enabled her to attend classes when she was 11.

Ramos has been into gymnastics since she was three years old.  —KBK, GMA Integrated News