MANILA - Filipino-American gymnast Levi Jung-Ruivivar is ecstatic about qualifying for the Paris Olympics after her sensational uneven bars routine at the FIG World Cup in Doha. 

After qualification, the 17-year-old was ranked No. 8 and knew she needed to level up. 

Reviewing her qualification routine with her coach, they decided to go big and added two new moves that she had never done in competition before: the Stalder Full Ricna and Toe Full connected to tucked full dismount. 

The risk paid off. The level of difficulty and execution earned her a silver medal and qualification to the Paris games.

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 "To qualify I knew I had to do it.  Before getting on the bars I stepped aside and said to myself - you can do this. No matter what happens, go give it your all.  I’m so happy it paid off," said Levi. 

Just a little over 24 hours since making the Olympics, Levi is now soaking in everything she has accomplished. 

"It’s always been a dream of mine. Been working so hard. It feels so worth it. It's hard to fathom but I’m truly blessed and honored," said the gymnast. 

The roaring Filipinos in the audience in Doha made a huge difference for Levi. Hearing them scream and cheer for her from the stands added to her confidence.

"It is incredible, all the support I got, they are the best ever. And I didn't expect it," said Levi. 

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One person she wished was in the crowd to see her qualify  was her Filipino grandfather Tony Ruivivar. Levi’s beloved lolo had a huge impact on her life. 

Filipino-American gymnast Levi Jung-Ruivivar with her late grandfather. Photo courtesy of Anthony Ruivivar

Part of the Society of 7 Group with Bert Nievera -- the father of Martin Nievera -- Lolo Tony would always tell stories that made her laugh. He would play the piano while she would sing. He was her biggest fan and he dreamed one day she would make the Olympics. 

Competing for the Philippines for Levi was always a plan. Her dad, Hollywood actor Anthony Ruivivar, recalls the very early days that Levi started gymnastics as a toddler. 

"It started with mommy and me classes, mostly jumping on a trampoline and swinging on a rope. She always loved moving her body through space and hanging upside down jumping onto the couch. We thought she would like gymnastics classes. It just progressed from there," said dad Ruivivar. 

Levi's mom Yvonne was in Doha to watch her daughter compete and couldn't be prouder. 

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"She works so hard. And I'm so happy that she has fulfilled another dream. I think I was hugging the man next to me in the arena. I was in tears," said Mom Yvonne. 

Levi was in the arena the next day after qualifying to cheer on Carlos Yulo who took the Gold in Parallel Bars and Silver in the Vault. 

"He is such an inspiration. So kind and humble and so talented. He gives so much to all those around him," she said. 

From Doha, Levi will go back to the USA to intensify training and will be in France a month before the competition. 

And after the Olympics, Levi, who has never been to the Philippines, hopes to visit the land of her beloved Lolo Tony to give gymnastics clinics to young Pinoy kids. 

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"I’m so excited to do that, I want to give back to the Philippines and help start kids on their own journey in gymnastics," she said. 

In the fall, Levi will start college on scholarship at Stanford University taking psychology. 

Gymnastics Association of the Philippines President Cynthia Carrion is extremely proud of the three gymnasts that have so far qualified, Carlos Yulo, Aleah Finnegan and Ruivivar. 

In May at the Asian Championships in Uzbekistan, there will be more opportunity for other gymnasts to qualify.

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