Manila: Paris Olympics double-gold medalist Carlos Yulo and tennis star Alexandra Eala have been recognized as the top achievers for June, announced by the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) on Thursday.
According to Philippines News Agency, Yulo excelled in the floor exercise and vault events during the 2024 Summer Olympiad. He achieved a score of 14.600 points in the men's floor exercise, securing his fourth consecutive title at the Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships held in Jecheon, South Korea, on June 8. The 25-year-old also earned bronze medals in the individual all-around event with a score of 83.633, as well as in the vault and parallel bars events with scores of 14.333 and 14.166 respectively.
Eala made history by becoming the first Filipino to reach the championship round of a WTA competition, achieving a career-best ranking of No. 56. She reached the finals of the WTA 250 Lexus Eastbourne Open in Great Britain but was narrowly defeated by Australian Maya Joint in a closely contested match, with scores of 4-6, 6-1, 6-7 (10).
The PSA also recognized the achievements of four-division boxing champion Nonito Donaire, Jr., who made a triumphant return by winning a unanimous technical decision against Chile's Andres Campos in their World Boxing Association interim bantamweight title match in Argentina.
Other notable achievers included 19-year-old FIDE Master Alekhine Nouri, who won the rapid gold and blitz silver medals at the Asian Juniors Chess Championships in Waskaduwa, Sri Lanka. John Jerish Velarde also secured a podium finish in the rapid event.
The Philippine Canoe Kayak Dragonboat Federation team gained attention by collecting six gold, one silver, and one bronze medal at the International Canoe Federation (ICF) Dragon Boat World Cup in Inner Mongolia, China.
In ice hockey, the Philippines captured its first gold medal at the IIHF Ice Hockey Women's Asia Cup in Al-ain, United Arab Emirates, with a five-game sweep. Meanwhile, Alas Pilipinas improved on its previous performance by finishing second at the AVC Women's Volleyball Nations Cup in Hanoi, following their bronze finish last year.
Additionally, the Gilas Pilipinas Women 3x3 Youth team, comprising Kacey Dela Rosa, Kristine Cayabyab, Cheska Apag, and Cielo Pagdulagan, emerged victorious in the six-stop FIBA 3x3 Youth Nations League-Asia Pacific in Doha, Qatar. This achievement qualified them for the FIBA 3x3 U23 World Cup 2025, set to be held in Xiong An, China, in September.
