Yulo takes Olympics floor exercise gold

Carlos Yulo on Saturday topped the men's floor exercise to snatch the Philippines' first gold medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics, the country's second since Hidilyn Diaz bagged a weightlifting gold in 2021 in Tokyo.

Yulo showcased an awe-inspiring performance at the Bercy Arena, where he would have a crack for  his second Olympics gold medal on Sunday when he figures in the finale of the vault event.

The 24-year-old Yulo shed tears of joy when his final score of 15.000 was announced to be the best in the field of eight competitors.

It was sweet redemption for the pride of Leveriza, Manila after a disastrous performance in the Tokyo Summer Games,  where he did not make the finals of the floor exercise.

While he made the vault finals in 2021, he failed to score a podium finish by placing fourth.

Tokyo Games champion Artem Dolgopyat of Israel settled for silver with a score of 14.966 points, while Filipino-British gymnast Jake Jarman of Great Britain clinched the bronze medal after scoring 14.933 points.

Still on contention for the gold is pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena, and boxers Aira Villegas and Tokyo Games silver Nesthy Petecio.