The year 2024 will be remembered as a golden chapter in Philippine sports history, marked by a blend of resilience and brilliance that elevated the nation to new heights in the global arena.
On January 27, these extraordinary achievements will take center stage at the San Miguel Corporation-Philippine Sportswriters Association (SMC-PSA) Awards Night, a grand celebration to honor the nation’s sporting heroes.
Leading the honorees is Carlos Yulo, the 24-year-old gymnast who delivered an unprecedented double gold at the Paris Olympics, earning him the prestigious Athlete of the Year award.
His victories in the men’s vault and floor exercise were not just historic – they were transformative, as they marked the first time the Philippines secured two gold medals in a single Olympic Games.
Yulo’s dominance extended beyond Paris, with four golds in the Asian Championships in Uzbekistan and additional medals in the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup Series, solidifying his status as a global gymnastics powerhouse.
The Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP), helmed by Cynthia Carrion, will be feted as the National Sports Association of the Year.
Under Carrion’s guidance, GAP nurtured talents like Yulo and the stunning trio of Aleah Finnegan, Emma Malabuyo, and Levi Jung-Ruivivar, who made history as the first Filipina gymnasts to compete in the Olympics in 60 years.
Their participation not only ended a decades-long drought but also underscored the resurgence of Philippine gymnastics on the world stage.
Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas, two fearless lady boxers, will also share the spotlight as recipients of the President’s Award. Petecio’s bronze medal in the women’s 57kg division and Villegas’ matching feat in the women’s 50kg class were vital to the Philippines’ best-ever Olympic performance.
For Petecio, this was a continuation of her stellar career, adding to the silver she won in Tokyo 2020 and making her the first Filipino boxer to achieve back-to-back podium finishes in the Olympics.
Villegas, on the other hand, captivated the nation with her underdog story, excelling in her Olympic debut and proving her mettle as part of the compact five-member Philippine boxing team.
“They may have fallen short of the biggest prize at the 2024 Olympics, but their incredible efforts deserve high accolades,” said PSA President Nelson Beltran.
“They brought pride to the country with their shining moments in Paris, contributing to the glorious Philippine performance – a true highlight in our centennial year of participation in the Summer Games.”
The awards night at the Manila Hotel’s ballroom will also celebrate other remarkable achievements in Philippine sports.
Highlights include Major Awardees in various disciplines, Mr. Basketball and Ms. Volleyball honors, and the Tony Siddayao Awards for outstanding athletes aged 17 and under.
Special recognition will be given to Philippine Olympians and Paralympians, with another legendary athlete set to be inducted into the PSA Hall of Fame.
The success of 2024 extended beyond the Olympic stage.
Gymnastics proved its dominance in the Asian circuit, with Yulo’s younger brother, Karl Eldrew, showcasing his own brilliance. Karl clinched gold in the juniors division of the Asian Championships and added titles in the Pacific Rim Championship in Colombia and the Chiu Wai Chung Cup in Hong Kong.
Meanwhile, Malabuyo’s gold and bronze medals in the Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Asian Championships sealed her Olympic debut, further emphasizing the depth of talent in Philippine gymnastics.
The SMC-PSA Awards Night, co-presented by ArenaPlus, MediaQuest, and Cignal, and supported by major sponsors including the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, and PLDT/Smart, will serve as a fitting tribute to a year like no other.
It is a celebration of not just individual brilliance but the collective effort of athletes, coaches, and associations who brought honor to the nation.
