5 Filipina Athletes To Watch Out For In 2024

Numerous remarkable victories in the field of Philippine sports have been achieved by women. In the 2018 Asian Games, 70% of the medals the Philippines claimed were won by Filipina athletes. In fact, the country's first Olympic gold medal was bagged by the renowned weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz. During the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Filipina athletes outnumbered men in the Philippine delegation.

There is no question that women in sports have brought success and #PinoyPride to the country. This goes to show the importance of providing adequate policies and programs that guarantee equal access and equal funding for them.

According to the World Economic Forum, investing in women in sports recognizes their rights to participation and economic resources, which in turn paves the way for the promotion of gender equality.

Let’s now delve into the stories of exceptional female athletes who have not only excelled in sports but also made significant accomplishments in their respective careers, showcasing the multifaceted impact of their accomplishments. These women embody the essence of perseverance, determination, and excellence, leaving an indelible mark both on and off the field.

On And Off The Field: Filipina Olympians In The Making

There has been a strong representation of women across different sports disciplines. Andrea Robles, Abby Bidaure, and Pia Bidaure all excel in archery. In the swimming arena, Jasmine Alkhaldi and Xiandi Chua are achieving remarkable success. These five athletes are under the Atletang Ayala program.

Courtesy of Atletang Ayala

Andrea Robles (archery)

Andrea Robless became the first Filipino Gold Medalist at the Indoor Archery World Series in 2019. She is also the first Filipino to qualify for the Indoor World Series Finals in 2020. Recently, she demonstrated her skills by securing a commendable 19th rank at the 31st SEA Games in Vietnam.

Courtesy of Atletang Ayala

Her winning strategy? Focusing on the process over outcome. In an interview, Andrea emphasized the importance of trusting the process when things get overwhelming because the "results will follow."

Outside the sport, Andrea is carving a successful career as an Employee Engagement Specialist at Globe Telecom. Carrying a Management degree from Ateneo de Manila University, she is making a name for herself both in the archery community and corporate field.

Abby Bidaure (archery)

Despite being one of the youngest in the program, Abby Bidaure is a world-ranked national archer and SEA Games medalist. Her recent achievements include a remarkable 4th place finish at the individual SEA Games in 2022, as well as clinching Gold for the women’s recurve team. In 2021, Abby represented the country as a final qualifier for the Tokyo Olympics, where she achieved an impressive 9th place ranking.

Courtesy of Atletang Ayala

Currently, Abby is preparing for the upcoming SEA and Asian Games. And despite the busy schedule, she's pursuing her studies in BS Psychology at the University of St. La Salle in Bacolod. She is also juggling her responsibilities as an HR Associate-in-training at AC Motors.

Pia Bidaure (archery)

Pia Bidaure is a world-ranked archer and SEA Games medalist. Her recent achievements include an outstanding 3rd place finish at the individual SEA Games in 2022, along with securing Gold for the women’s recurve team. In 2021, Pia represented the country as a final qualifier for the Tokyo Olympics, where she achieved a commendable 33rd place ranking.

Courtesy of Atletang Ayala

According to Pia, archery is both a safe space for "relaxation and an outlet for her emotions."

Apart from being an athlete, Pia is also a Cadet Engineer-in-training at ACEN and believes that "being able to adjust to different situations" is one of her many strengths on and off the field.

Jasmine Alkhaldi (swimming)

Jasmine is a two-time Olympic swimmer and SEA Games gold medalist. She has also earned Silver and Bronze medals at the 31st and 30th SEA Games, respectively. In addition to her achievements, Jasmine represented the Philippines at the 2021 FINA SC World Championships held in the UAE and competed in the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games in 2016.

Preparing for the upcoming Olympics, World Championships, SEA and Asian Games, Jasmine tirelessly competes in numerous events, pushing herself to meet the time standards set by the NSA and FINA-approved competitions.

Courtesy of Atletang Ayala

Alongside her career in sports, Jasmine holds a double major degree in Marketing & Management from the University of Hawai’i which reflects her determination that has no bounds.

Xiandi Chua (swimming)

As a believer of pushing oneself beyond the limits, Xiandi Chua is a nationally-ranked swimmer, UAAP champion, and SEA Games silver and bronze medalist. Adding to her achievements, Xiandi clinched gold at the 43rd and 42nd SEA Age Group Swimming Championships, following her earlier silver and bronze victories at the 41st and 40th championships.

Courtesy of Atletang Ayala

In 2015, Xiandi showcased her talent on the global stage by representing the Philippines at the FINA Junior World Championships.

"There is no substitute for hard work. For me, regardless of any obstacle or challenge, I make sure I push through and deliver my best," Xiandi emphasized.