REANNA LABADAN has started to reap the fruits of her Hungarian training and found herself advancing to the individual all-around and ball finals of the 14th Senior Rhythmic Gymnastics Asian Championships on Thursday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Inspired by her dad Arnold and mom Laurice who watched her every move from the stands, the 16-year-old Labadan finished sixth in the individual all-around qualifiers with 107.90 points, including her scores in clubs (24.45) and ribbons (28.65) in the competition organized by the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission.
Competing out of Butuan City but now based in Hungary where she trains, Labadan was among 18 athletes competing in the all-around finals starting at 10 a.m. Friday in the meet sanctioned by Asian Gymnastics Union.
“I can say that yesterday was better and there were mistakes that happened today but I accepted that to move forward,” said the bronze medalist at last year’s Hanoi Southeast Asian Games. “My parents are also there watching and telling me how proud they are.”
Uzbekistan’s Takhmina Ikromova topped the qualification with 133.95 points, followed by Kazakhstan’s Elzhana Taniyeva with 127.90 and China’s Zilu Wang with 120.95.
“A top 10 finish for Breanna will likely secure her a ticket to the world championships in Spain,” according to competition manager Anna Carreon.
Daniela dela Pisa, however, failed to advance after she skipped the hoops on opening day Wednesday after mustering 65.75 points, including the clubs (20.20) and ribbon (21.80).
A gold medalist in the 2019 30th Philippine SEA Games, Dela Pisa wound up 27th in the all-around in the 20-nation championships serving as the continental qualifiers for the Rhytmic Artistic Gymnastics World Championships from August 23 to 27 in Valencia.
