SEA Games: Gymnast Daniela Dela Pisa wows them

By Kristel Satumbaga

Last year, cancer survivor Daniela Dela Pisa only wanted to be part of the national team. Now, she is a Southeast Asian Games gold medalist.

Two days after Carlos Yulo shone in the men’s artistic gymnastics, Dela Pisa took the spotlight on yesterday after copping a gold and two bronze medals in the rhythmic gymnastics at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

The 15-year-old Palarong Pambansa standout topped the hoops event with 17.750 points, edging Malaysians Izzah Amzan (16.500) and Amy Dict Weg Kwan (15.900).

The Cebuano native followed it up with bronze finishes in balls (15.600) and clubs (16.100).

Dela Pisa was the first Filipino rhythmic gymnast to win a SEAG gold since Maria Victoria Alicia Jacinto collected three gold medals at the 2011 Palembang edition.

She credited her three-month training in Hungary under Hungarian coach Dora Vass.

“Training at hard work lang po,” said Dela Pisa, admitting she was surprised of her podium finishes since it was her first SEA Games appearance.

Coming from a family of gymnasts that include mom Darlene and uncle Allen Castañeda, a national team coach for the men’s artistic gymnastics, Dela Pisa entered the sport when she was three years old.

She battled Stage II ovarian cancer when she was four, pursuing the sport with dreams of making into the national team.

Now, she is living out her dreams with a gold medal to boot – and she is just starting.

“Balik po ulit ako ng Hungary sa January. Tuluy-tuloy lang po ulit training,” she said.

Source: Manila Bulletin