10-year-old half-Filipina wins silver, ranks 9th vs. US gymnasts

A 10-year-old half-Filipina gymnast has won a silver medal in Vault and ranked 9th in her age division during the 2020-2021 National Invitational Championship in Dells, Wisconsin recently.

Victoria “Ria” Casia Sessions got a score of 37.800/40 in the 2020-2021 State Championship held last March, entitling her to be the representative of the State of Maine in the nationals.

“Last season, I competed under the team, Xcel Silver, and became a state champion, gained gold in all the four events, and was the highest scorer against all the 199 participating gymnasts in Maine," recalled Ria who was born in New Brunswick, Canada from an American father and a naturalized American mother from La Union.

Photos courtesy of Victoria "Ria" Casia Sessions

The incoming fifth grader at the Guy E. Rowe School started gymnastics upon turning three years old and her father saw her climbing the fridge.

Ria easily picked up the basics such as cartwheels, forward rolls, back extension rolls, handstands, and splits then and quickly took to the balance beam.

"I love gymnastics! Bars is what I love doing because I’m very good at it and it makes me very happy," she added in an interview via Messenger that started on August 5.

She also doesn't mind competing with other kids her age.

"I don't mind competing. Every time we go to the meet, my mama and papa would always tell me 'pray, give your best and enjoy… we are your number 1 fans and we are always super proud of you!’ They both never missed any single meet I competed in. I have very supportive and loving parents and I am very blessed. I love them very much." —LBG, GMA News