Filipino-American gymnast Elisabeth Antone emerged as the highest-ranking Philippine entry in the women’s division of the ongoing 3rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics Junior World Championships, showcasing promise in her world-stage debut at the Marriott Grand Ballroom in Pasay City.
The 16-year-old Antone said she “had a blast” after delivering one of her strongest performances to date when competition wrapped up Friday evening.
“I feel like it built my confidence because I can get out before a big crowd and do my thing,” said Antone, thrilled to finally compete at the world level.
Buoyed by the loud support for Team Philippines, Antone—whose family hails from Bothell, Washington—finished 37th in the all-around qualifications, narrowly missing the Top 24 cutoff for the finals.
France’s Elena Colas topped the all-around qualifiers with 55.760 points, followed by Japan’s Misha Nishiyama(54.265) and Yume Minamino (53.332).
Antone’s strongest showing came in the vault, where she posted 12.533 points to place 25th. She also tallied 11.366on the uneven bars (41st), 11.533 on the balance beam, and 12.133 in the floor exercise.
“I’m a bit disappointed. I know I could have done better,” she admitted, though she said the experience will fuel her future performances.
Antone has been on an upward trajectory this season. At the 18th Junior Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Asian Championships last June in Jecheon, South Korea, she secured two bronze medals—one in the individual all-around and another in the vault finals.
Team Philippines, also composed of Sabina Tayag, Maxine Bondoc, and Jellian Bantilan, finished 24th in the team standings with a total of 88.988 points.
France dominated the team event with 108.432 points, trailed closely by Japan (107.930) and the United States (106.230), which settled for bronze.
Japan’s Nishiyama also led the qualifiers in vault with 13.816 points, edging out Colas, who scored 13.716.
