Levi Ruivivar Wins Silver in Uneven Bars, Secures Spot in Paris Olympics

Levi Ruivivar, a 17-year-old Filipino-American gymnast, secured a silver medal in the uneven bars final at the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup in Doha, Qatar. Ruivivar's impressive performance earned her a coveted spot in the upcoming Paris Olympics, where she will join fellow Filipino gymnasts Aleah Finnegan and Carlos Yulo in representing their country on the global stage.

In the uneven bars final, Ruivivar showcased her skills and determination, posting a score of 13.633 points. This was the second-highest score of the competition, narrowly behind gold medalist Kaylia Nemour of Algeria, who scored 15.366 points. Alena Tsitavets, a neutral athlete, claimed the bronze medal with a score of 13.600 points.

Ruivivar's silver medal not only brought pride to her country but also earned her 30 Olympic qualifying points. With a total of 62 points, she now holds the second-highest point total among eligible athletes in the uneven bars rankings. This outstanding achievement secured her place on the Philippine gymnastics team for the Paris Olympics, alongside her talented teammates Carlos Yulo and Aleah Finnegan.

Why this matters: Levi Ruivivar's qualification for the Paris Olympics marks a significant milestone for Philippine gymnastics. With Ruivivar joining Carlos Yulo and Aleah Finnegan, the Philippines will have its biggest gymnastics delegation in the Olympics in nearly six decades, showcasing the nation's growing talent and competitiveness in the sport.

Another Filipino-American gymnast, Emma Malabuyo, also competed in the Doha leg of the World Cup series. Malabuyo's performance and potential qualification for the Paris Olympics are pending the results of the championship round, which will take place on Sunday.

Ruivivar's journey to the Olympic stage was not without challenges. She narrowly reached the uneven bars final as the eighth and last qualifier. However, her brilliant routine in the final showcased her resilience and ability to perform under pressure, ultimately earning her the first World Cup medal of her career.

With Ruivivar's qualification, the Philippines is set to send a strong contingent of athletes to the Paris Olympics. In addition to the gymnastics team, the country will be represented by pole vaulter EJ Obiena, boxers Nesthy Petecio, Aira Villegas, and Eumir Marcial, as well as weightlifters John Ceniza, Vanessa Sarno, and Elreen Ando.

Key Takeaways

• Levi Ruivivar, 17-year-old Filipino-American gymnast, won silver in uneven bars at Doha World Cup.
• Ruivivar's silver medal secured her spot on the Philippine gymnastics team for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
• Ruivivar earned 62 Olympic qualifying points, the second-highest among eligible uneven bars athletes.
• Ruivivar will join Carlos Yulo and Aleah Finnegan, making the largest Philippine gymnastics delegation in decades.
• The Philippines will also send athletes in pole vault, boxing, and weightlifting to the 2024 Paris Olympics.