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.
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