Aleah Finnegan is raring to showcase how much she has grown as a gymnast when she competes in the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand from 9 to 20 December.
Finnegan, 22, said competing in the 53rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics Junior World Championships in Jakarta last November as well as training in the Philippines have helped her adjust to the climate and the time zone of the region.
The Filipino-American from Louisiana State University will be competing in the prestigious biennial meet together with Haylee Garcia and Elaiza Yulo — the younger sister of two-time Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo.
“I feel a bit more prepared just because I know what I’m expecting. I kind of know the environment a little bit more and I’ve been in the Philippines for four months so it’s not as crazy of a time difference as coming from the States,” Finnegan said.
“I think there are just so many things that have been beneficial for me for this one. I’m just looking to hit clean routines and then we’ll see how it goes.”
Entering as one of the favorites to win a gold medal in the SEA Games, Finnegan said she can’t wait to put on a show for the Filipino fans, who are will troop to catch the action in Bangkok.
After all, she won a gold medal in the vault and picked up two silver medals in the individual all-around and balance beam in the 33rd SEA Games in Hanoi.
“I mean, it never really stops training for the SEA Games. I was thankful enough to be able to attend the World Championships in Jakarta and I think that really was so helpful in the preparations for the SEA Games because we got to be on the competition floor, we got to see some different competitors and just kind of get used to being under the lights again,” Finnegan said.
“The SEA Games was the first competition that I ever competed for the Philippines ever so I think that it’s extra special to me just knowing that last time that I was at the SEA Games it just like you said it was really successful and so it really just holds so near and dear to my heart.”
Since her gold medal win in the Hanoi SEA Games, Finnegan continues to establish herself as one of the best gymnasts in Asia.
Finnegan won two bronze medals in the vault and balance beam at the 2023 Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Singapore.