20 Oct Two Gymnasts, One Nation: Juancho Besana and Haylee Garcia shine at the 54th Artistic Gymnastics World Championships
When Juancho Miguel Besana and Haylee Garcia stepped onto the competition floor at the 54th Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Rotterdam, they carried more than the Philippine flag. They carried the hopes of their families, the sacrifices of their coaches, and the pride of a nation cheering them on from home.
Two athletes. Two journeys. One shared mission: to represent the Philippines.
And their journeys to the world stage were built long before they arrived in Rotterdam.
For Besana, the road has been marked by years of international competition and steady progress. From competing in the Southeast Asian Games and World Cups to placing fifth in the men’s vault final at the 2026 Asian Games, he has continued to test himself against elite competition. His appearance in Rotterdam was another opportunity to learn, compete, and take another step forward.
Reflecting on his experience, Besana said he was grateful for the opportunity to compete on the world stage.
“I had a blast. I got to compete with my head held high. I am thankful for the people that supported me,” he said.
For Garcia, the journey has been one of growth and determination as a young Filipino gymnast. After gaining international experience at the 2025 World Championships in Jakarta, she returned to the world stage in Rotterdam, carrying with her the lessons of previous competitions and the ambition to keep improving. Both gymnasts also prepared for the championships through a training camp in Antwerp, Belgium.
Garcia acknowledged that there is still room to grow but emphasized the value of the experience she gained in Rotterdam.
“There’s still a lot to work on and improve, but overall, I learned a lot,” she said.
She also expressed her gratitude to those who supported her journey, including Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP) president Cynthia Carrion, GAP, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), and Red Ox Media.
“Thank you to everyone who supported me, Miss Cynthia, GAP, PSC, and Red Ox Media,” Garcia said.
In Rotterdam, Besana scored 12.733 on the horizontal bar, while Garcia recorded 44.632 points in the women’s all-around qualification. Though neither advanced to the finals, their performances represented another important chapter in their development.
Because their stories are about more than scores and rankings.
Behind every routine are countless hours of training, sacrifice, discipline, and perseverance. Every competition brings new challenges, and every experience offers lessons that can help shape what comes next.
Their results may be different, but their achievement is the same: they represented the Philippines.
To the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines, GAP president Cynthia Carrion, their coaches, Red Ox Media, and everyone who supported these athletes along the way, thank you for being part of their journey.
To Juancho and Haylee, thank you for carrying our colors with pride and giving Filipino gymnastics another reason to look forward to the future.
This chapter may be over, but their journeys are far from finished. There are more lessons to learn, more goals to pursue, and greater heights waiting to be reached.
The world stage is not only where athletes prove themselves. It is where they grow, gain experience, and prepare for the challenges ahead.
Two athletes. One proud nation. Journeys that are only just beginning.
𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗦𝗔𝗟𝗔𝗠𝗔𝗧, 𝗠𝗜𝗚𝗦 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗛𝗔𝗬𝗟𝗘𝗘!