On Wednesday, Eldrew Yulo demonstrated why he is the future of Philippine gymnastics, delivering a dominant performance to complete a seven-gold sweep of the individual events in the Men’s Artistic Gymnastics competition at the Batang Pinoy.
Representing Manila City, Yulo stood head and shoulders above the competition in the Boys’ FIG Juniors 14-17 category, excelling in all individual events—vault, still rings, floor exercise, high bar, parallel bar, pommel horse, and the individual all-around—at the GAP Gym in Intramuros, Manila.
The 15-year-old, younger brother of two-time world champion Carlos, seemed poised to claim an eighth gold, pending the official results of the team event where Yulo was part of the Manila squad, subject to deliberation by the technical committee.
There are also plans for Yulo to join the seniors’ event in the Philippine National Games starting on Thursday.
Eldrew is being groomed as the next big talent after his elder sibling Carlos, who secured gold in the floor exercise at the 2019 World Championships in Stuttgart, Germany, and the vault exercise at the 2021 World Championships in Japan.
Their grandfather, Rodrigo Frisco, credited with introducing the sport to Carlos, expressed his belief that Eldrew would surpass his older brother in skill.
“Mas magaling ito (Eldrew) kesa sa kanyang kuya,” said Frisco.
It was also a time to shine for San Juan City’s Maria Celina Angela Gonzales, who captured four golds and a silver medal in the Women’s Artistic Gymnastics High Performance 1.
Gonzales topped the Uneven Bars (6.500), Balance Beam (8.150), Floor Exercise (8.750), and Individual All-Around (34.700), while securing second place for silver in the vault exercise, behind top finisher Tchelzy Mei Maayo City (9.350) of Taguig City.
Meanwhile, Tagum City’s team, comprising Hollie Bautista, Aluna Margauz Labrador, and Alessa Reese Solis, clinched victory in the team event with a total of 44.150 points.
In swimming, Pasig City’s Arvin Naeem Taguinota II continued his winning streak with his fourth gold medal in this multi-event competition for 17-year-olds organized by the Philippine Sports Commission and backed by the Office of the President, Pagcor, DILG, POC, PBA, Milo, Otsuka Solar-Pocari Sweat, PLDT-Smart, Grab, Chooks-to-Go, and Shakey’s.
Taguinota was part of the victorious Pasig relay team in the Boys’ 12-Under 200M Medley Relay, adding to his earlier triumphs in the Boys 8-12 200m IM, Boys 12 & Under 50m and 100m Backstroke.
At the Tagaytay City BMX Park, Guimaras City celebrated two gold medals, courtesy of Gremarc Gyan Dela Gente in the Boys’ 14-15 category and Ben Rian Babica in the Boys 16-17 category.
Sisters Leila Anika and Jeanne Soleil Cervantes secured gold medals for Paranaque City in BMX Girls 13 & Under and Girls 14-15 categories, respectively. Emmanuel Redilla of the City of Imus emerged victorious in the Boys 13 Under category.
