Carlos Yulo is the epitome of resilience and gratitude — a true Filipino champion.
But this year is his peak achievement as he won two gold medals in the Paris Olympics, a feat that no Filipino athlete had ever done.
Yet, despite the thunderous applause and a cascade of accolades, Yulo remains humble, crediting his success to his unshakable faith and the unwavering support of those around him, including his coaches, teammates and fans who never got tired pushing him to perform at his best.
“These victories are not mine alone. They belong to my family, my coaches, my teammates, and everyone who believes in me. I wouldn’t be here without them,” the 24-year-old Yulo said.
Among those he credits is his Japanese coach, Munehiro Kugimiya, whose meticulous guidance has been instrumental in refining Yulo’s world-class abilities.
“Coach Mune’s belief in me never wavers, even when I doubt myself. He’s more than a coach; he’s a mentor and a father figure.”
But before Yulo even became the talk of the town, he admitted to have doubts to the point of considering taking his own life.
“To tell you honestly, I was at a point where I wanted to just simply vanish. I nearly took my own life,” Yulo said.
“But I prayed until I fell asleep. After that, I felt at ease and the following day, my feeling was lighter. That’s how my faith in God started. I carried that until the Olympics and I believe that all the challenges He gave me would lead to good results.”
“I learned to be grateful and be thankful to all the things He has given me. That’s why I often cry whenever I say during interviews that I give everything to Him. Through His grace, we made it.”
The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP) have supported Yulo’s journey. Their investments in him have been invaluable in this regard.
The PSC also made sure that the Philippines had world-class facilities and that these athletes had access to international competitions, allowing Yulo to compete at the very top level.
“It’s a blessing to represent the Philippines and make our country proud,” Yulo said, emphasizing his gratitude for the resources that have allowed him to thrive.
His accomplishments have inspired a surge of interest in gymnastics across the Philippines.
Grassroots programs and training camps have reported increased enrollment, with young athletes looking up to Yulo as a role model.
GAP president Cynthia Carrion said her top ward already wants to start training as a busy schedule in 2025 looms.