Mission failed: Yulo comes home empty-handed from worlds

Carlos Yulo fell short of the podium in his two pet apparatuses at the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Rotterdam, Netherlands, leaving the tournament without a medal for the first time since 2023 and raising doubts if he could still make the podium in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

The Paris Olympics double gold medalist finished eighth in the men’s floor exercise with 13.244 points last Saturday before settling for seventh in the vault with 13.883.

Yulo entered the competition as a contender after winning gold medals in both events at the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, last September.

He also trained with younger brother Eldrew Yulo in Antibes, France, to prepare for the challenge of facing the world’s best gymnasts.

However, Yulo admitted that personal struggles before the Asian Games and the short recovery period between the two competitions took a toll on his preparation.

“Before the Asian Games, I went through a really tough time. It was a very stressful period in my life. Overcoming it has made me more mature and stronger in a sense,” Yulo said.

“That's why I want to try different things, especially with myself.”

“It's been a really short time between the Asian Games and coming here. There's not much time for me to recover, and I'm just really glad and grateful that I'm still here and could still compete.”

Although Yulo qualified for both finals, falls and execution errors undermined his bid to add two more world titles to his collection.

Fred Richard of the United States won the floor exercise gold with 14.633 points, while 2022 world champion Artur Davtyan of Armenia reclaimed the vault crown with 14.850.

Asian Games gold medalist Zou Jingyuan of China also captured the men’s parallel bars title with 15.733 points.

Despite the disappointing finish, Yulo has another opportunity to regroup before the next major test in his bid to qualify for LA28.

The 2027 World Championships in Chengdu, China, will serve as an Olympic qualifying event, giving Yulo time to refine his routines and address the mistakes that cost him in Rotterdam.

With Japan, Russia and China having secured Olympic qualification through the team all-around, Yulo could have another opportunity to earn an individual berth, depending on the qualification rules and available spots.

The longer preparation window could also benefit Yulo, with the Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships expected to be among the major competitions on his 2027 calendar. Its schedule has yet to be finalized.

Yulo can also use the FIG Apparatus World Cup circuit and his stint with OAJLP Gymnastique in France to sharpen his routines and regain his competitive form.