10 Filipino Athletes Who Will Own the Paris 2024 Olympics and Make You Proud

Written By Niko Del Rey

As the world eagerly anticipates the Paris 2024 Olympics, the spotlight shines brightly on a new wave of Filipino athletes ready to make their mark on the global stage. From seasoned competitors to promising newcomers, these ten Filipinos embody the spirit of resilience, passion, and excellence that defines the Philippines' athletic legacy. In this blog, we celebrate their journeys, achievements, and the incredible potential they bring to the world's most prestigious sporting event. In case you missed it, we shed the spotlight on these ten inspiring individuals with Filipino heritage, who are not only set to compete but also to inspire a nation and fans worldwide with their dedication and talent.

1. Mitchell Saron

On March 27, team USA’s fencing team announced that Saron, 23, will be competing in Men’s Saber for both individual and team categories at the 2024 Summer Olympics Games in Paris. Saron secured his spot after their fencing team won a silver medal at the Padua World Cup on March 3 and a gold medal at the Men’s Saber World Cup in Budapest, on March 24.

2. Emma Malabuyo 

The star from UCLA qualified after taking a silver medal in the all-around competition at the Asian Gymnastics Championships. Just three years ago, Malabuyo traveled to Tokyo to serve as an alternate for Team USA in the Tokyo Olympics. However, she began representing the Philippines a year ago in her quest to make the Filipino Olympic team. “I was so terrified to go for this Olympic dream one last time, but I was even more terrified of not trying at all,” she wrote on Instagram.

3. EJ Obiena

Currently ranked 2nd in the world in Men’s Pole Vault, Obiena is looking to compete in his first Olympic games, representing the Philippines. Obiena holds the Philippines national record for pole vaulting at 5.55 meters and later went on to break the Asian Athletics Championship record with 5.71 meters which also earned him Gold. 

4. Aleah Finnegan

Filipino-American artistic gymnast, Aleah Finnegan, received bronze in the 2023 Asian Championships for vault and balance beam but presently she competes for the LSU Tigers gymnastics team where she is currently the 2024 NCAA floor exercise champion. Finnegan will look to represent the Philippines in the 2024 Paris Olympics. 

5. Levi Jung-Ruivivar

The 3rd Filipino artistic gymnast to qualify for the Olympic games with Carlos Yulo and Aleah Finnegan, Jung-Ruivivar earned her spot on the Filipino Olympic team after securing a silver medal at the 2024 International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) Artistic Gymnastics World Cup series.

"I just always had a really strong affinity for the Philippines," the young athlete told ABS-CBN News. "I kind of had my heart set on it, we always take about it as a family. It felt right in my heart, and I felt I wanted to be surrounded by the Filipino community."

The Ruivivar family is no stranger to the spotlight. Levi’s grandfather is none other than the late Tony Ruivivar, founding member of the iconic band the "Society of 7."

Her father Anthony, is a Hollywood actor, starring on the early 2000s hit "Third Watch," and recently appearing in the Disney + adaptation of "Turner & Hooch." He’s now working on "NCIS: Hawaii."

6. Eumir Marcial

Eumir Marcial is no stranger to the world stage having won a silver medal at the 2019 World Championships and a bronze medal at the 2020 summer Olympics, both wins in the middleweight division. Marcial looks to capitalize off his 5-0 professional record as he competes for Gold in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

7. Nesthy Petecio

A second attempt at Gold for Nesthy Petecio after earning a silver medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics in the featherweight division. Petecio’s silver in 2020 was the first time a Filipino woman medaled in boxing at the Olympics, which was a big achievement for the Filipina boxing community. 

8. Carlo Paalam

One of my favorite backstories on this list, Carlo Paalam grew up as a garbage scavenger who eventually participated in weekly boxing matches at his local park for extra money. Paalam’s talents were recognized by local clinicians, earning him a spot in a reputable boxing program. Paalam would go on to compete in the 2020 Olympics, earning him a silver medal in the flyweight division and similar to Petecio, Paalam looks to make a return to the Paris Olympics in pursuit of bringing home gold. 

9. Joanie Delgaco

Joanie Delgaco is breaking ground as the first Filipina rowing Olympian in the history of the Olympics. Delgaco has won gold at both the 2019 South East Asian (SEA) Games and the 2023 World Beach Games in Bali, and looking to add another gold medal in Women’s Single Sculls at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. 

10. Vanessa Palomar Sarno

Vanessa Sarno is a highly decorated 71kg olympic weightlifter, considered to be the successor to Hidilyn Diaz, who we will forever remember as the first ever to bring home an Olympic Gold Medal to the Philippines. Just in the last couple years, Sarno has received 3 gold medals from the Asian Weightlifting Championships and SEA Games, in addition to the 3 gold medals she won at the 2023 Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships in India. Will Paris be gold number 6 for the Sarno and number 2 for the Philippines?

---

Written By Niko Del Rey

---