Pinoy athletes who stole our hearts in 2024!
From Carlos Yulo’s historic victories at the Paris Olympics to Bianca Bustamante’s journey in the world of motorsports, and EJ Obiena’s rise as one of the world’s top pole vaulters, 2024 is turning out to be one of the best years for Filipino sports by far.
Watch this episode of the GMA AI Sports Series. Follow #GMA Sports for more updates.
From Carlos Yulo’s historic victories at the Paris Olympics to Bianca Bustamante’s journey in the world of motorsports, and EJ Obiena’s rise as one of the world’s top pole vaulters, 2024 is turning out to be one of the best years for Filipino sports by far.
Watch this episode of the GMA AI Sports Series. Follow #GMA Sports for more updates.
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00:00It has been an exciting year for sports in 2024.
00:03From the Olympic Summer Games to various tournaments that captivated Filipino fans,
00:07this year has truly left its mark on the sports world.
00:10Today, GMA Sports wants to show some love to the athletes that captured the world's attention and the hearts of their fans.
00:18Carlos Yulo made history as the first-ever Olympic gymnastics gold winner for the Philippines.
00:23He cemented his legacy with an unforgettable performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
00:28Winning not one, but two gold medals.
00:31In a historic moment, Yulo secured the Philippines' first-ever gymnastics gold
00:36after scoring 15.000 points in the men's floor exercise final during the 2024 Summer Games.
00:44His victory electrified the nation,
00:46echoing the pride of Heidelin Diaz's groundbreaking gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
00:52But Yulo wasn't finished.
00:53Two days after winning his first gold,
00:55Carlos clinched a second gold medal in the men's vault final,
00:58with an impressive average score of 15.116, showcasing his high-difficulty performance.
01:04This win made Carlos Yulo the first Filipino to become a two-time Olympic gold medalist.
01:10With his victory, Carlos Yulo is set to receive over 100 million pesos in incentives,
01:15rewards, and perks, which continue to increase in recognition of his achievement.
01:20His victories not only solidified his place in Philippine history,
01:24but also filled the Philippines with immense pride,
01:26securing his legacy as one of the nation's most accomplished and beloved athletes.
01:32Next stop, Bianca Bustamante.
01:35Bianca has made history in motorsports as the first female driver to join McLaren's
01:39prestigious driver development program.
01:42Her rise in the F1 academy has caught the attention of Filipino sports fans.
01:47In the 2024 season at the Miami Grand Prix,
01:50Bianca achieved a remarkable feat by securing a second-place podium finish.
01:55Her representation in the elite world of motorsports as a Filipina
01:58has inspired countless young drivers, while also amplifying visibility for women in the sport.
02:05Bianca's strong social media presence has been key to her growing popularity.
02:10Her skill, inspiring journey, engaging online presence,
02:14and partnerships with leading brands like McLaren
02:16has solidified her as a beloved figure in motorsports and beyond.
02:21Now we turn our focus to EJ Obiena.
02:24EJ Obiena has become a trailblazer in Philippine athletics,
02:28making a name for himself as one of the world's top pole vaulters.
02:32At the 2024 World Athletics Championships,
02:36Obiena clinched a historic bronze medal,
02:38marking his first podium finish at the global competition.
02:42His leap of 5.91 meters not only earned him a place among the best,
02:46but also elevated the Philippines' presence in world athletics.
02:50At the 2024 Paris Olympics, EJ Obiena finished fourth in the men's pole vault,
02:56just narrowly missing a podium spot.
02:59This was a significant improvement over his 11th place finish in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics,
03:05and despite not earning a medal,
03:06his performance was hailed as a testament to his growth and resilience.
03:10Obiena faced various physical challenges leading up to the Games.
03:14His achievements in Paris, paired with his previous successes
03:17like becoming the first Asian pole vaulter to enter the 6-meter club,
03:21earned him widespread admiration.
03:23Recently, Obiena launched a pole vault facility in Laoguag, Ilocos Norte,
03:28as he hopes to develop more Filipino vaulters in the country.
03:31Through his record-breaking performances
03:33and his determination to elevate the Philippines in international athletics,
03:37EJ Obiena has firmly established himself as one of the country's premier sports figures,
03:42earning the respect and admiration of fans across the globe.
03:45Gia Morado de Guzman is one of the premier volleyball players in the Philippines,
03:49known for her exceptional playmaking skills and leadership on the court.
03:53Her first overseas stint with Denso Airybees was remarkable,
03:57helping the team win the Japan 5th Cup in April 2024.
04:01Her consistency and composure were evident,
04:04helping Denso maintain a competitive performance in the league.
04:07Now Gia is on her second season with the Japanese team.
04:11Her success was magnified when she represented the country
04:14as its team captain for the national team under Alas Pilipinas.
04:18With Gia at the helm of the Philippine team,
04:21they asserted their dominance over Australia in the 2024 AVC Women's Challenge Cup,
04:27clinching the first medal of the country in an AVC-sanctioned tournament
04:31since joining the Confederation in 1961.
04:34In their victory, the team showed immense heart,
04:37with de Guzman expressing pride in her teammates for their determination,
04:42which made her loved by Filipino volleyball fans.
04:46WHO DOESN'T LOVE DWIGHT RAMOS?
04:48Gila's Pilipinas Dwight Ramos has become a key figure for the team
04:51in various international tournaments, including the FIBA World Cup qualifiers.
04:56He also led the list of Asian imports in the B-League All-Star event in January
05:00as the team captain of the Asia All-Stars team.
05:03Ramos' blend of talent and charisma has made him a fan favorite,
05:06both on and off the court.
05:08His versatile skills, spanning defense, scoring, and playmaking,
05:12have been pivotal to his team's success in high-pressure games.
05:16But it's not just his basketball prowess that has garnered attention.
05:20Ramos' good looks and approachable personality have further expanded his fan base,
05:25making him one of the most recognized and adored athletes in the Philippines.
05:29Off the court, Dwight has also captured the hearts of fans
05:32with his relationship with longtime partner and volleyball, Kiana Dee.
05:36Together, the duo has been a source of kilig for their fans,
05:40with the addition of their pet corgi, Koda.
05:43There's no doubt that Dwight Ramos has made his way
05:46to annals of Philippine sports history and our hearts.
05:49These are just some of the Filipino athletes that captured the hearts of fans in 2024.
05:54Be it EJ Obiena soaring to new heights in pole vaulting,
05:57Carlos Yulo making history in gymnastics,
06:00Gia Morado de Guzman leading her volleyball team with grace and precision,
06:04Dwight Ramos lighting up the basketball court,
06:06or Bianca Bustamante breaking barriers in motorsports,
06:10each of these athletes has shown what it means to embody
06:12the Filipino spirit of hard work, passion, and perseverance.
06:17How about you?
06:18Who's your most loved Filipino athlete this year?
06:21Share your thoughts in the comments,
06:22and follow GMA Integrated News and GMA Sports for more updates.
06:27See you next time.