Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times
(C) FIG

2024 Summer Olympics

Carlos Yulo on golden floor routine: ‘It wasn’t perfect, but it was my moment’


Carlos Yulo has been a champion at every level.

However, in his Olympic debut three years ago in Tokyo, he experienced disaster.

A few years prior to the pandemic-stricken Games in Japan, Yulo had won the world championship in floor exercise.

But in Tokyo, the 4-foot-11 dynamo had a disastrous all-around run, finishing in 47th place. Although he finished sixth in the vault event, it was not the goal.

“Palagi kong sinasabi, experience, experience,” he recalled to One Sports.

GAP-Gym-Caloy-Yulo-4 Carlos Yulo on golden floor routine: 'It wasn't perfect, but it was my moment' 2024 Summer Olympics Gymnastics News  - philippine sports news

Yulo had to rebuild himself after Tokyo.

He replaced Japanese head coach Munehiro Kugimiya with his first mentor, Aldrin Castañeda.

He also focused on himself, shutting out distractions from his affairs off the mat.

As expected, he won two golds in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia. But it was in the 2024 Asian Championships where he truly shone, winning three titles – the all-around, floor exercise, and vault.

The Olympics, however, is a different animal.

“Nag-focus lang ako sa anong gagawin ko. Nagdasal po talaga ako. Hindi ako pinatulog nito ng dalawang araw ng maigi,” he admitted.

“Palagi akong kinakabahan.”

In the all-around, he qualified for the final after placing ninth but ended up 12th – still an improvement from Tokyo.

That rise gave him confidence that he could do it.

In the floor exercise final, he delivered a routine for the ages. Save for a minor wobble – which was saved by divine intervention according to him – it was the perfect routine.

2024-Paris-Games-Gymnastics-Caloy-Yulo-scaled Carlos Yulo on golden floor routine: 'It wasn't perfect, but it was my moment' 2024 Summer Olympics Gymnastics News  - philippine sports news

(C) FIG

Muntik pa po ako malaglag pero thank you Lord talaga, pinrotektahan niyo ko at na-save ko yun. Maganda yung mga landings ko ng mga sumunod,” he recalled.

#ReadMore  FIBA 3x3: QC Wilcon earns ticket to Cebu Masters, Pasig TNT dealt heartbreak in Quebec

His near-flawless routine netted a 15.0, largely due to the 6.6 execution score.

“Hindi yun yung perfect competition pero ito yung perfect moment para sa akin,” he expressed.

The 24-year-old has now won at all levels – from the Palarong Pambansa to the SEA Games to the Asian Games to the World Championships, and now the Olympics.

The Olympic gold was the culmination of everything he had gone through.

2024-Paris-Games-Gymnastics-Carlos-Yulo Carlos Yulo on golden floor routine: 'It wasn't perfect, but it was my moment' 2024 Summer Olympics Gymnastics News  - philippine sports news

(C) FIG

“Sobrang nakaka-overwhelm yung ganoong experience. Pero ito yung experience na tatak talaga sa puso ko at sa buong Pilipinas,” he said.

“Really grateful na hindi ako sumuko sa challenges at nag-show up ako and mayroon akong resulta na nakuha. Siyempre, hindi lang ako mag-isa na nakakuha nito. Lahat ng resulta ko ngayon, may mga taong tumulong sa akin, lalo na si Ma’am Cynthia (Carrion),” he continued.

But there’s one more gold to be bagged for Yulo – the vault event. It’s an event dominated by Ukrainians and the British.

Yulo knows that this mountain will be a tough climb. And he is looking to rekindle the magic of 2021 by ruling this exercise once more.

“Going to do the same. Have fun and hope for the best.”

Written By


You May Also Like

2024 Summer Olympics

Chooks-to-Go and Bounty, proud supporters of Philippine sports, honored their commitment to sports excellence on Friday, August 23, by awarding a P3-million incentive to...

2024 Summer Olympics

Smart has honored Filipino Olympians Carlos Yulo, Nesthy Petecio, and Aira Villegas – along with their coaches and staff – with a total of...

2024 Summer Olympics

Amid the celebrations for Carlos Yulo’s double gold medals and the bronze victories of boxers Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas at the Olympic Games...

2024 Summer Olympics

National Golf Association of the Philippines (NGAP) secretary-general Bones Floro cleared the air regarding the uniform issues raised by Team Philippines golfer Dottie Ardina...

2024 Summer Olympics

Levi Ruivivar broke her silence regarding her absence from the Parade for Olympians last August 14 in Manila. Along with fellow gymnasts Aleah Finnegan...

2024 Summer Olympics

The PBA gave due recognition to the athletes that represented the Philippines in the recent Paris Olympics as part of its Season 49 opener...

2024 Summer Olympics

As the Olympic Games Paris 2024 came to a close, a spirited debate was unfolding among Filipino sports fans: should funding for popular sports...

2024 Summer Olympics

In a tribute fitting for a king, Carlos Yulo, the nation’s golden hero, has been showered with rewards and accolades that surpass even the...

Advertisement