Yulo still savoring Olympic success

One year since the Paris Olympics and Carlos Yulo is still smiling whenever he reminisces the magical moment that elevated him into sports greatness.

The 25-year-old Yulo recalled how he exactly felt when he executed the routine that gave him the gold medal and completely changed his fortune and the course of Philippine sports forever at the loud Bercy Arena in downtown Paris.

“The first one, that was really overwhelming for me. I can't imagine that I would get to that point,” Yulo said in an interview with the International Gymnastics Federation.

“My knees were trembling and that's why it was really messy, my first pass. But after I just controlled it and tried to stick them all, it went like a really good routine. I was really happy at that moment.”

Yulo ended up winning the gold medal in the men’s floor exercise event followed by another triumph in vault apparatus, making him the best Filipino Olympian ever.

“I never thought I would be like, in the 15-point mark. I just knew that, I really did my best,” Yulo said.

“So, seeing that I'm in the first place, I really cried.”

More than that, his twin victories changed Yulo’s fate as he walked away with more than P100 million in cash, condominium units, vehicles and other mouthwatering prizes from the government and corporate sponsors.

Despite the wealth and popularity, Yulo remains grounded.

In fact, he expressed his utmost gratitude to his Japanese coach, Munehiro Kugimiya, who patiently shaped him from a poor boy with a big dream into one of the world’s most admired athletes.

“I wouldn’t have reached this level if it weren’t for my coach. He helped me build a plan, taught me how to train, and also supported me in my education. I am thankful to him,” Yulo said, referring the mentor who trained him from 2016 to 2023.

Yulo will be back in action as he is setting his sights on the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Jakarta from 19 to 25 October.