AGU Media, DOHA (QAT): When the 29th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games begin on August 17 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Kaitlin DeGuzman will hope to help the Philippines defend their team bronze just like her mother Tammy did 20 years ago.

“I was thrilled to represent my country at a major international event. I’ve always wanted to play for the Philippine national team,” Kaitlin, who competed at the 2015 and 2016 P&G Gymnastics Championships for USA, said in a recent interview to Filipino media.

Kaitlin will represent the Philippines in international competition because her parents were born there while her father was as a member of its water polo team.

Her stint as an elite gymnast in the US helped her prepare to control her nerves.

“I tend to over think and get sick. I need to stay calm and be positive,” she said.

For the Philippines, the SEA Games may be an important event, but it will be Kaitlin’s only second international assignment.

The 17-year-old Oklahoma resident wants to do well.

“My plan is to do well at the competition. I want to focus on getting ready for whatever God has in store for me,” added Kaitlin.