Jake Jarman's foray into artistic gymnastics is different from the others.
"My nan started my journey in gymnastics. I used to be very energetic when I was young, bouncing from wall to wall and my mom and nan were desperate to find something that would keep me occupied," Jarman recalled. "That’s the time I found gymnastics and I loved it from the very start. I now compete for Huntingdon Olympics Gymnastics Club, one of the best clubs in the UK."
What will keep Jake Jarman from representing the Philippines?
Jarman's mother hails from Cebu. He relished the time he lived on that southern island.
"I lived in Cebu for two years, from age three until five. I am proud to have both Philippine and British heritage. I still get to talk to my family in Cebu, using Skype and they are always following my progress. I love Cebu and its great beaches, and I have very good memories of my time at school and with my cousins, lola, and lolo."
"I would love to visit the Philippines again but with such a serious focus on my gymnastics that consumes my time training and competing, it’s proving difficult to schedule. Maybe long term, I would love to be an ambassador for Philippine gymnastics and help its athletes realize that with hard work, anything is possible."
Cynthia Carrion, the president of the Gymnastic Association of the Philippines, said that it would be easier for Jarman to switch federations if he has a Philippine passport.
“If he really wants to represent the Philippines then I will write to the British authorities, then if they allow him, I will ask clearance from the IF (International Federation),” said Carrion. “That’s another hurdle.”
Both Jake Jarman and Carlos Yulo are still young and strong enough to compete with the best gymnasts in the 2028 Summer Olympics. And age won't be a factor. Bulgaria's Yordan Yovchev won a world title at 30 years of age.
There's no doubt that Jake Jarman's presence would make the Philippines dominate artistic gymnastics in the Southeast Asian Games. What about the annual Asian Men's Artistic Gymnastics Championships? World Artistic Gymnastic Championships?
Let's analyze it:
The 2024 Asian Men's Artistic Gymnastics Championship was held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan last spring. Carlos Yulo was the big winner of that event, winning the all-around individual event and then scooping gold in the floor, vault, and parallel bars. It should make Yulo one of the favorites in the Paris Olympics, but the Filipino finished 12th in the all-around individual event. Yulo qualified for the finals of the floor exercise and vault, his two favorite events. And so did Jarman.
If British Gymnastics let go of Jarman, then the Filipino-British might represent the Philippines in the 2027 Southeast Asian Games in Myanmar and then the 2027 World Artistic Gymnastic Championships in Chengdu, China.
The Asian Men's Artistic Gymnastics Championship is likely to be held during that year, but no confirmation on the date and venue. Yet. Jarman finished seventh in the all-around individual event in Paris, an encouraging sign if one would think about his breakthrough in the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Manchester.
Both Jarman and Yulo could challenge Shinnosuke Oka, the gold medal winner in the Olympics. The Japanese artistic gymnast ruled the 2023 Asian Gymnastics Championship, and he was 19 years of age. It will be an interesting rivalry.
If not for Yulo, then the Philippines wouldn't make a dent in the world stage. Some local fans point out that Yulo has achieved more after winning two world titles. However, most athletes don't settle for less after winning at a global stage.
It would be the same with Jarman after the British team finished third in the all-around team event at the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastic Championship. Their achievements would inspire the next generation of Filipino gymnasts. And their achievements should promote diversity in sports.
It is seldom to see sports rivalries becoming good friends, so local fans are delighted about the photos of Jarman and Yulo posted on social media. At the end of the day, rivalry must uplift sports. And it should have a positive impact. It will happen when Jarman and Yulo dominate the world stage.
Jake Jarman's addition to the Philippine team will be good for local sports, but it can be a matter of time. And Jarman might be over the hill when it happens. What do you think?
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