A third-grader at Gems Winchester School Dubai has announced herself as one of the young names to watch in the UAE’s growing artistic gymnastics community — walking away from her first major competition with three medals and an all-around podium finish.
Amina Guiua-Amer, who turns 10 in July, competed at the Dubai Open for Gymnastics Academies Championship (DOGA Season 3 May Meet 2026) under USAG Level 6 in the 9–11 age group, where she was the youngest participant. She claimed Silver on Vault, Silver on Floor, Bronze on Beam, and finished 2nd Place All-Around.
The all-around result came despite a fall on her uneven bars dismount — the apparatus she considers her strongest. “When I fell off the bars, it was on my dismount. I wanted to cry. I couldn’t look at my coach,” she shared with TGFM. “We practiced that routine so many times and bars is my best apparatus! I was disappointed at myself for a minute but I shook it off.”
Her recovery was deliberate. Drawing on the example of American gymnastics legend Simone Biles — “who is the GOAT fell on her butt on her vault which is her best apparatus” — Amina refocused on what came next. “I walked off thinking, that was a disaster — now let me nail my back handspring step-out on the balance beam!” she recounted. She was, by her own account, the only competitor in her age group to land that skill, which she credits for securing her all-around placement.
Amina began gymnastics training only in May 2024 after attending a trial class at Wellfit Gymnastics in Dubai. The decision to enrol was not immediate. Her father, a Revenue Manager, was initially reluctant over safety concerns, while the cost of training was also a consideration for the family. Her mother — an Events Manager and former young gymnast from Quezon City who was unable to continue the sport due to limited club access in the Philippines — ultimately convinced him to allow a one-week camp. Amina never stopped after that.
In two years, she has advanced four levels. By her own account, she was consistently the smallest, youngest, and least experienced athlete each time she moved up, yet finished the best in her age group and level by the end of every term. She attributes that trajectory to disciplined training — rarely missing sessions, working through holidays, and overhauling her diet. “I gave up KFC spicy fried chicken, spicy fries and spicy Cheetos too!” she said. “I ate on time and only allowed myself 1 cheat meal a week which is every Friday after training.”
Born on 17 July 2016 to a Filipino mother and Egyptian father, Amina holds the goal of representing the Philippines at the Olympics — a feat she believes no Filipino female gymnast has yet accomplished. She is unambiguous about why she chose the Philippine flag over Egypt’s. “My biggest fan, supporter and the reason why I got into this sport is because of my Filipino mom,” she said. “Sorry dad! But that’s the truth!”
