World gymnastics champion Carlos Yulo (with medal) receives a warm welcome from teachers and pupils of the Manuel Quezon Elementary School in San Andres, Manila where he studied as a child. Bob Dungo Jr.

Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, expressing his gratitude to the highest honors Filipino athletes had given his city and the country, awarded two distinguished sportsmen P500,000 as show of support in their journey to the Tokyo Olympics.

At his office on Thursday afternoon, Domagoso recognized with city council resolutions and plaques gymnastics champ Carlos Yulo and pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena for their exceptional achievement in their field of sports.

Yulo, the only Filipino who has won the world gymnastics championship, paid a courtesy call at City Hall, accompanied by Japanese coach Munehiro Kugimiya, who provided the Filipino champion intensive training in Tokyo.

“His interest in gymnastics was developed as he grew up watching Filipino gymnasts train and compete at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex,” the City Council resolution read. “A diminutive Manileño has carved a niche that signals the emergence of a powerhouse in the world of gymnastics that should inspire his countrymen.”

Obiena won a gold medal in the men’s pole vault event at the 30th Summer Universiade 2019, setting a new national record, qualifying him for the coming summer Olympics.

“(He) stood out among the 6,000 athletes who competed in the 30th Summer Universiade 2019 with 220 medal events in 18 sports categories,” said the City Council resolution. “He secured a berth in the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics by surpassing the qualifying standard by making a 5.81 meters finish in a tournament in Chiara, Italy in 3 September 2019.”

Obiena is a true-blue Manileño, having been born in Tondo and a product of Chiang Kai Shek College and University of Santo Tomas.

A copy of the resolutions would be furnished to the office of the Philippine Sports Commission.