The spotlight is on young gymnasts from across CALABARZON as the Rhythmic Gymnastics competition and the Men’s and Women’s Artistic Gymnastics qualifying rounds of the Regional Athletic Association Meet 2026 (RAAM) got underway on March 8 at the Batangas City Sports Center.
The two-day event brings together student-athletes from different provinces in the region, each hoping to showcase their skills and earn a place among the top gymnasts of the competition.
In the elementary division, 14 CALABARZON divisions are competing, each represented by three young gymnasts. Meanwhile, 11 divisions are battling it out in the secondary level, highlighting the growing depth of gymnastics talent among young athletes in the region.
The Women’s Artistic Gymnastics competition features four events: vault, uneven bars, balance beam, and floor exercise. Each routine tests an athlete’s balance, flexibility, precision, and artistic performance.
On the other hand, Men’s Artistic Gymnastics highlights six challenging apparatus events—floor exercise, pommel horse, rings, vault, parallel bars, and high bar—requiring a combination of strength, control, and technical mastery.
Also taking center stage is Rhythmic Gymnastics, a discipline that blends athletic skill with grace and choreography. Competitors perform routines using various apparatus that add creativity and difficulty to their performances.
For the elementary level, gymnasts perform routines using the ball, hoop, and clubs, along with a free-hand routine. In the secondary division, athletes use the ball, hoops, and ribbon, showcasing both coordination and artistic expression.
Beyond the competition, the gymnastics events at RAAM provide a valuable platform for young athletes to gain experience, build confidence, and represent their schools and divisions.
As the competition unfolds over the next two days, spectators can expect inspiring performances from these rising talents, many of whom aspire to compete at higher levels and bring pride to the CALABARZON region.
