Filipino Icon: Carlos Yulo
Carlos Yulo was born in Manila, Philippines, on February 16, 2000. He was raised in a modest family on Leveriza Street. His grandmother nurtured his early fascination with gymnastics, encouraging his parents to support his burgeoning interest in the sport.
Yulo began training at the age of seven under the guidance of coach Ricardo Ortero Jr. at the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP). Despite limited resources, he quickly developed his skills and showed exceptional promise.
Struggles and Training
Yulo’s journey to success was not without challenges. The Philippines’ lack of facilities and resources meant that Yulo had to train in less-than-ideal conditions. But Carlos was determined.
In 2016, Yulo’s talent was recognized internationally, and he received a scholarship from the Japan Gymnastics Association. This opportunity allowed him to train in Tokyo under esteemed coach Munehiro Kugimiya.
Moving to Japan was a significant step for Yulo. It provided him with access to world-class facilities and training methods that further polished his skills.
At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Carlos did not win a medal. Unexpected routine errors impacted his performance. Despite this setback, his participation underscored his potential and experience on the global stage, setting the foundation for future successes in international competitions.
Carlos Yulo: “The Golden Boy”
- 2019 Artistic Gymnastics Championships: Carlos Yulo made history by becoming the first Filipino and Southeast Asian male gymnast to win a gold medal at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships. In the Floor Exercise event, he achieved this remarkable feat on October 12, 2019, in Stuttgart, Germany.
- 2020 All-Japan Gymnastics Championships: Yulo claimed gold in the vault, showcasing his versatility and technical prowess across multiple events.
- 2021 All-Japan Gymnastics Championships: He repeated his success by securing another gold in the floor exercise, demonstrating his consistency at a high level of competition.
- 2021 Artistic Gymnastics World Cup (Doha): Yulo topped the podium in the vault event, adding to his growing collection of international accolades.
- 2022 Southeast Asian Games (Hanoi, Vietnam): Yulo dominated the competition, securing multiple gold medals across various disciplines, including the floor exercise, still rings, and parallel bars.
- 2022 Asian Gymnastics Championships: He continued his success streak by winning gold in the floor exercise, asserting his position as one of Asia’s top gymnasts.
- 2023 Doha World Cup: Yulo won gold in the floor exercise and secured a silver in the vault, continuing to display his exceptional skills on the international stage.
Winning his second Olympic gold in 2024
Carlos made history on August 3, 2024, claiming the gold medal in the men’s floor exercise final at the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
Legacy and Impact
Carols Yulo is a six-time world championship medalist, winning two golds, two silvers, and two bronzes; a ten-time Asian champion; and a nine-time SEA Games champion.
In 2023, Yulo won three golds at the Asian championships and became the most medalled athlete at the Singapore event with five medals. China topped the table with eight golds and again won Gold in the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Yulo continues to train and compete, aiming for more success in future competitions, including the Olympics. His story is a powerful example of how determination and dedication can lead to extraordinary accomplishments, regardless of background.
