Kaitlin de Guzman of the Philippines competes in uneven bars category of women’s artistic gymnastics competition of the 29th Southeast Asian Games Tuesday at the Malaysia Trade and Exhibition Center in Kuala Lumpur. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/SEA GAMES POOL
KUALA LUMPUR—Cintamoni dela Cruz-De Guzman knew her daughter Kaitlin had what it takes to become a champion when the latter was just four.
A former preschool teacher who often towed Kaitlin to her class, the ex-Southeast Asian Games gold medalist said she marveled at the ease with which Kaitlin performed gymnastics stunts.
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“She can do straight cartwheels. One time she made a pull-up in a bar and hold, and I never taught anything her yet at that point. I was like, ‘you want to take up gymnastics?’” recalled Cintamoni.
Now her daughter, at 17, is a newly minted SEA Games uneven bar champion right on her first try. It was the same event Cintamoni scored gold back in 1995 and bronze in 1997.
Cintamoni dela Cruz-De Guzman and gold medalist daughter Kaitlin. Photo from Marc Reyes
The De Guzmans relocated to Rockwall, Texas, when Kaitlin was eight and there, she continued her training and eventually competed with Metroplex Gymnastics.
“She knows that she’s good at it and it’s a means to an end,” said Cintamoni who bared that Kaitlin is committed to University of Oklahoma for her athletic scholarship.
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Cintamoni, who is now project director for Infinite Bounds Gymnastics, said her elder son took up swimming and it was Kaitlin who dabbled in gymnastics.
“She also took up dancing and swimming,” said Cintamoni. “It was only last April when we learned that she can compete for the Philippines.”
Kaitlin is entered in beam and floor events. Of the three events Kaitlin is competing in, Cintamoni said her daughters favorite is the beam.
“That’s where she won gold medals in the States,” said the proud mother.