FILIPINO-AMERICAN gymnasts Aleah Finnegan and Emma Malabuyo, two of the Philippines’ three female bets in the women’s gymnastics event of the 2024 Olympic Games, are hoping to inspire the next generation.
This is what Finnegan and Malabuyo tried to do when they taught aspiring young girls a lesson or two at the ‘Yes Girl’ Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Training Clinic on Saturday.
“It was a successful one. I think all of the girls really felt that I was able to teach them little lessons on gymnastics, with techniques that I have done,” said the 21-year-old Finnegan, during the clinics held at the MVPSF Gymnastics Center in Intramuros, Manila.
There were more than 80 young hopefuls present in the clinics as they watched Finnegan do her tricks, handstands, spins, jumps and twists at the various apparatus that were available.
“Our whole reason to come to the Philippines was for this clinic. I’m really thankful to the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines for this opportunity of being able to showcase and spend time with over 80 gymnasts here,” said Finnegan, who returns to the United States on Friday next week.
She was with her mom Linabelle Finnegan, while Malabuyo was with her mother Anna, who is currently based in Flour Mound, Texas.
Finnegan is drawing a huge following since helping Louisiana State University to the US NCAA Division I crown, earning the individual floor exercise crown along the way.
Finnegan, whose family in the Philippines is from Caloocan, was at 47th place in the all-around event at the Paris meet, with Malabuyo coming in at 41st, and Levi Jung-Ruivivar at 40th.
When the two-day clinic ended on Sunday, Finnegan proceeded to the opening ceremonies of the 2024 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup as the muse of the Meralco Bolts.
On the other hand, Malabuyo will soon return to the University of California in Los Angeles to attend to her studies.
“I think we made the girls smile. And they had so much fun with us,” said Malabuyo, who came to Manila with relatives from Ilocos Sur.
