Meet Jake Jarman, the Fil-British Gymnast Who’s Winning the Hearts of Filipinos
Aug 6, 2024 • Nicole Thomas
Many were astounded by the flawless gold-winning performance of the Philippines’ Carlos Yulo at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Meanwhile, netizens also found another athlete to admire during the men’s floor exercise: Filipino-British gymnast Jake Jarman.
He has Cebuano roots
He spent part of his early childhood in Cebu, living there from ages three to five, and maintains contact with his family, cherishing memories with his cousins, lolo, and lola.
He won bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympics
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The Filipino-British gymnast took third place in the men’s floor exercise at the 2024 Paris Olympics, scoring 14.933 points. His outstanding routine earned him the bronze medal, with Artem Dolgopyat of Israel taking silver and Carlos Yulo of the Philippines winning gold.
He also named a gymnastics move after him and called it “The Jarman.”
He is a history-maker
The British gymnast secured Britain’s first medal in artistic gymnastics. He is the first male artistic gymnast from England to secure four gold medals in a single edition of the Commonwealth Games.
Additionally, in 2023, he won the gold medal in the vault at the World Championships, becoming the first British gymnast to achieve this title in the event.
He is a Sagittarius
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Jake, a 22-year-old gymnast, was born in Peterborough, United Kingdom on December 3, 2001.
He started gymnastics at 6 years old
Jake Jarman’s journey in gymnastics began at the age of six, after a local coach noticed him playing on a park’s monkey bars and suggested to his grandmother that he take up the sport. This sparked a lifelong passion for physical activity and gymnastics.
He lived in Cebu as a kid
Jake shared in a 2017 interview that he lived in Cebu from ages 3 to 5.
In a Facebook post, Anne Gallo-Sam, Jake’s former preschool teacher from SageCebu Sage Prep SchoolHouse in Cebu City, reminisced about the days when he was young and studying.
He trained with Carlos Yulo
The athlete is good friends with fellow gymnast, Carlos Yulo. Both of them used to train together at a British gymnastics center.
Jake even shared a cute photo of them together on an Instagram story
He wants to represent the Philippines
Jake Jarman could represent the Philippines at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
According to a report by The Philippine Star, Cynthia Carrion, president of the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP), stated that the gymnast might soon compete under a new flag.
“For the next Olympics, he wants to represent the Philippines, so we will seek permission from the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG). I will write a letter, and we will see if FIG approves or not,” she said. “Ang importante ay mag Philippine passport siya.”
Jake Jarman, the man that you are. If you’re a new fan like us, follow Jake on his Instagram page @jake_e_j.
