Little Olympics champ brings triumphant act to Youth Games

Gymnast Junna May Capili of General Santos City has immersed herself in a culture of success at a young age.

A multiple gold medalist in the Milo Little Olympics, the

9-year-old brought her winning habit to the Philippine National Youth Games-Batang Pinoy Championships yesterday.

Capili, who bagged six gold medals in the Milo event in Cagayan de Oro early this year, led her team in the freehand event of rhythmic gymnastics at Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Coached by Aljey Rafaela, 8-year-olds Wynette Beatriz Jugador, Zittie Aleeyah Florendo and Alyssa Ruiz and 9-year-old Kiara Beatriz Atoc teamed up with Capili to earn the nod of the judges with 9.1 points for the gold.

“My dream is to compete for the Philippine team in international tournaments,” Capili, a fourth grader from the General Santos Sped Integrated School, said in Filipino.

Makati City got the silver medal with 6.25 points and Bacolod City placed third with 6.1 points.

Makati City bounced back in the apparatus after Lea Gloria, Rhela Mae Mabaylan, Angelica Magat, Angela Quinones and Pamel Anne Villanueva struck gold with 8.05 points in the two-minute routine.

Lucia Gabriel Gutierrez of Pasig City won the gold in the individual all-around of the women’s artistic gymnastics HP3 category after compiling 40.55 points.