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MANILA, Philippines - A batch of very young athletes has been bringing home a very rich harvest of gold, silver and bronze medals in international gymnastic competitions in Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand. The team garnered 52 gold metals in their recent stint in the Bangkok Gymnastics (Moose Game) Invitational Meet in Thailand. The meet was hosted by the Thai Canadian Community Sports Club and was attended by 12 other clubs from within Thailand and regionally from Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia. Out of 64 gold medals at stake in two levels, the young Filipino gymnasts took home 52 golds, 11 silvers and 1 bronze medal.

These athletes aged eight to early teens are members of the Philippine Gymnastics and Athletics Academy (PGAA), which started in 2008 and has grown to over 150 members. Appreciating the positive effects of discipline on young athletes, parents wholeheartedly support the efforts of head coach Boots Ty, a veteran in the Philippine gymnastics scene who has coached the national team for Rhythmic gymnastics for the ASEAN and SEA Games. The success in these initial international competitions has enhanced discipline among the young athletes and boosted their pride of representing the Philippines. 

The PGAA Sonny Ty Gym in Alabang has scholars from several public schools as well as street children, with the objective to make a difference by helping fulfill their dream of becoming world-class gymnasts and the opportunity to receive elementary, high school and even college education through athletic scholarships.

Coach Boots and her late husband, Coach Sonny Ty, started their club out of love for the sport and the vision of producing Olympic caliber Filipino gymnasts. PGAA is looking forward to finally hosting the First PGAA Sonny Ty International Gymnastics Invitational Games in October 2011.  

Check out the PGAA website at www.pgaasty.weebly.com or call 377-5461 for more information.