By Robina Asido

Over 30 girls joined the second series of a gymnastics training clinic led by top coaches from the Japan Gymnastics Association (JGA) in Manila on Thursday.

The Women's Artistic Gymnastics (WAG) training was handled by Akiko Akena, executive officer and chairman of the JGA developmental committee. It was participated by aspiring gymnasts between 10 to 15 years old with their local coaches.

The sessions, which run till Sunday, is meant for coaches to gain more knowledge while their gymnasts learn the basics using the right foundation.

Gymnastics has become popular after Carlos Yulo became the first Filipino to win two Olympic golds medals in 2024 Paris and world champion in the floor exercise in 2019.

The coaching seminar and training clinic that ran from 9 am to 4 pm was held at Gymnastic Association of the Philippines (GAP) facility in Intramuros, Manila.

During this series of Mirai o Hagukumu or nurturing the future, Akena shared more knowledge and vital techniques in the Age Group Developmental Program of Artistic Gymnastics.

The training was also witnessed and observed by Munehiro Kugimiya, a renowned Japanese artistic gymnastics mentor who hone Yulo into world fame.

Before the start of the session, Akena told participants not to push themselves so much as some of the activities might be difficult.

"Some parts may be difficult, maybe hard for you guys. But I want you to just try it first and if you feel uncomfortable please ask your coach and you can adjust. Do some a little bit easy stuff or if you want you can challenge it," she said.

"Coaches, please don't let them challenge too hard. Some things are maybe difficult for them... we don't want them to get hurt," she added.

One Filipina coach from Taguig who also participated during training admitted that some exercises are really "challenging".

Kugimiya will also hold a Men's Artistic Gymnastics (MAG) training session at GAP Rizal Memorial Sports Complex on Saturday (Aug. 22). PHS