PROMISING Filipino gymnast Jasmine Althea Ramilo, with an eye on qualifying to the Los Angeles Olympics, brought home medals in the International Rhythmic Gymnastics Tournament-Olympia 74 Cup in Sofia, Bulgaria.
The 16-year-old Ramilo, who is based in the Italian capital city of Rome, snatched a gold in the hoop and a couple of bronze medals from the ball and club exercises in the elite senior gymnast category.
This put her behind South African bets Nadia Bruyns and Abigail Seelhammer, who ruled the elite senior level with their 1-2 finish for the gold and silver in the overall rankings.
It was not the first time that Ramilo and her coach Claudia Mancinelli brought honor to the country.
Last year, Ramilo surprised everyone with a bronze in the club’s final of the 19th Junior Rhythmic Gymnastics Asian Championships, hosted by the Philippines.
Because of her recent achievements, the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines is lining her up for a series of qualifications for the Los Angeles Olympics.
“We are considering her to join qualifications for the Los Angeles Olympics. She is going to have a busy year,” said GAP secretary general Rowena Bautista.
Gymnastics’ officials believe that Ramilo has the potential to join Paris Olympics’ double-gold medallist Carlos Yulo in the next Olympiad.
Ramilo is the first athlete in rhythmic gymnastics from the Philippines to win a medal at the Asian Championships.
She made her debut as a senior level gymnast last year when Ramilo joined the World Cup in Baku.
That year, Ramilo was 36th in the all-around, 25th with the hoop, 30th in the ball, 25th in the clubs and 42nd with the ribbons.
This weekend, Ramilo will again seek podium finishes in 2025 Torneo Gold Italia meet, to be hosted by her club, Fabriano.