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SEA Games: Because of scoliosis, Pinay ex gymnast finds new calling as diver

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Dennis Gasgonia, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/sports/10/31/20191031-monique-demaisip.jpg"/><figcaption>Photo courtesy of Monique Demaisip&#x27;s Facebook</figcaption></figure></div>To stop her back problem from worsening, Bacolod-born Monique Demaisip shifted sports.This transition from being a gymnast to a diver not only counteracted her scoliosis, it also led her on a path to becoming a member of the Philippines national diving team that will compete in the Southeast Asian Games.“I was actually a gymnast in the US. That&#x27;s the sport I thought I&#x27;d continue with,” Demaisip, who moved to Los Angeles when she was 5, told ABS-CBN News.“But they figured out I have scoliosis and it was getting worse and my bones were still growing at that point so I quit gymnastics.”Her back condition was quite bad that Demaisip, who was then 14, wore a back brace for more than a year.Since Demaisip already had gymnastics experience, her parents figured she could try diving.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/10/28/19/knott-ubas-win-golds-in-sea-games-test-event">READ: Knott, Ubas win golds in SEA Games test event</a></li></ul>“I had a gymnastics background so it worked out. There&#x27;s still scoliosis but it&#x27;s not going to get worse anymore cause I&#x27;m done growing,” said the Fil-Am lass, who is now 22.As a diver, Demaisip was able to compete in NCAA Division 1, which gave her a wealth of knowledge.“I was in Northwestern University which is in the Big 10, it&#x27;s one of the hardest diving conferences in the NCAA Division 1 so that&#x27;s why it was a good experience for me,” she said.“In the Big 10, there&#x27;s like US Olympian, international divers in the competition so it&#x27;s really good for exposure for me. I was able to make it in the NCAA zone and competed in my last year.”While still in college, she got into contact with diving team manager Marie Dimanche for the possibility of joining the national team. She decided to devote her full time in training after college.“After I graduated last year, now I don&#x27;t have school and decided to put off looking for a job right now and focus on diving so that&#x27;s why I was able to come here and train with the team,” said Demaisip.Just recently, she underwent extensive training in China together with the national side to prepare for the SEA Games.“I’ll focus on myself and my consistency. That&#x27;s what I&#x27;ve been working on. As long as I accomplish that I&#x27;d be happy,” Demaisip said.For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="https://sports.abs-cbn.com/">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>.

By shifting sports, US-raised Monique Demaisip found a way to become part of the national diving team.

By shifting sports, US-raised Monique Demaisip found a way to become part of the national diving team.

SEA Games: Because of scoliosis, Pinay ex gymnast finds new calling as diver

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SEA Games: Because of scoliosis, Pinay ex gymnast finds new calling as diver

Dennis Gasgonia,

ABS-CBN News

Published Oct 31, 2019 11:28 PM PHT

Read More:

30th SEA Games

Monique Demaisip

Diving

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