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These 8 Filipino Athletes Are Already Preparing to Shoot Their Shot at the 2024 Paris Olympics

The 2020 Tokyo Olympics may have just ended, but some athletes are already looking ahead. Competing against the best of the best in the biggest stage requires years of training and refinement, so it makes sense to get a headstart and prepare for the next edition of the Summer Olympic Games. With that Here are 8 Filipino athletes who are already looking forward to the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Elreen Ando

After finishing 7th overall in the Women’s 64kg weightlifting event in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, 22-year old Elreen Ando immediately set her sights on the next edition of the Summer Games.

Olympian coach Ramon Solis bared plans to move Ando down to 59kg to have a better chance of claiming a medal in Paris. Fellow Olympian Hidilyn Diaz started in the same weight class before moving down to 55kg to claim gold.

 


Cris Nievarez

Cris Nievarez relished the experience of being able to compete in Tokyo. Although he was not able to achieve his goal of winning a medal, the first time Olympian said that it was a huge deal competing in the Olympics.

“Malaking dahilan ito para pagbubutihin ko pa at aasamin na makarating ako sa Paris,” the Atimonan, Quezon native said as he further elaborated on what needs to be improved and how the competition stacks up.

 

Kristina Knott

Spinter Kristina Knott, who won two gold medals in the 2019 SEA Games, admitted that the nerves got the best of her in the biggest stage.

The humid weather didn’t help, as she clocked in 23.80 seconds in heat 7 of the Women’s 200m Round 1, finishing last. Despite the disappointing result, she was already looking forward to bounce back.

“My motivation is to go to Paris. That’s gonna be the forefront of my motivation,” she said after the setback.

 

EJ Obiena

EJ Obiena was disappointed with his efforts in the men’s pole vault event despite a valiant 11th place effort. He later clarified reports that he was “not keen” on joining the 2024 Paris Olympics, only needing time to digest what happened.

“The facts of the matter are simple: I still love the sport of pole vaulting. I still love representing my great country. I still love competing. I still know I can win. You can draw your own conclusions from this. I will be back, and I will be back to win,” the one-time SEA Games gold medalist said on social media.

 

Margielyn Didal

Skater Margielyn Didal became a trending topic on social media during the course of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Her infectious charm made her a fan favorite, even though she only finished 7th in the women’s street skateboarding competition after sustaining an ankle injury. Coach Dani Bautista said that they will be “doing it all over again,” hoping to bounce back in the next edition of the Summer Games.

“The Olympics in Paris is the next goal, but now we’re focused on making sure Margie recovers and gets to compete at all the upcoming qualifying events.” the coach said.

 


Carlos Yulo

Carlos Yulo, who won gold in the floor exercise event of the 2019 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, was expected to take home a medal in Tokyo. However, the young gymnast came up short in achieving that goal. Despite this, he still put on a world-class performance in the Summer Games, qualifying in the men’s vault event final.

He vowed to bounce back, eyeing not only the 2024 Paris Olympics, but the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics as well.

“Actually hanggang 2028 po ako maglalaro. Ano po siya, decided na po ‘yan,” he said in an interview with Dyan Castillejo.

“Sa Paris po, babawi po talaga ako. Like, tapos na po ‘yung, hindi naman po paglalaro, pagsubok na makapag-Olympics po,” he added.

 

Nesthy Petecio

Nesthy Petecio didn’t reach her Olympic goal dream this time, so she’s hoping to do that at the next Summer Games. She even noted Hidilyn Diaz’s journey as an inspiration moving forward.

“Si Hidi (Diaz), silver siya sa Rio, nag-gold siya dito. Bakit ba hindi ko subukan,” Petecio said in a special Philippine Sportswriter Association (PSA) online forum.

“Malay mo sa Paris, hindi lang silver, makuha ko yung gold. Sikap lang palagi,” she added.

 

Carlo Paalam

Carlo Paalam is already looking forward to gold after claiming a silver medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Paalam suffered the first knockdown of his career in the men’s flyweight boxing final, but he is grateful for the lesson.

“Salamat kasi na-experience ko na na-knockdown ako kasi malaking bagay na matututo ako na ma-experience ko ‘yung ganoon bilang boxer,” the Cagayan De Oro native said.

A move to the professional ranks could’ve been enticing, but Paalam quickly shut down the possibility. “Wala po sa isip ko yan,” he stated.

Longtime mentor Elmer Pamisa also asked Carlo about his next plans.

‘Trabaho pa rin tayo, coach, para makuha natin ang ginto,” the silver medalist answered.

 

Who is the Filipino athlete that will bring home the bacon in 2024?


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Jeremiah is a sports junkie, artist, thinker and seeker. He enjoys watching basketball, Formula 1 and football, as well as listening to hip-hop music.


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