Heading into the vault final at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on Sunday, Carlos Yulo felt remarkably relaxed.
Despite struggling with sleeplessness before the event, his restlessness wasn’t due to nerves but rather excitement about concluding his campaign.
“Ako din po, talagang unbelievable din po. Ang wish ko lang po (bago yung event) is maging healthy at walang maaksidente sa amin,” he told ABS-CBN News’ Dyan Castillejo.
“God is really great, and I’m so blessed by him. I’m just really grateful sa kanya na hindi niya kami pinabayaan lahat.”
Once Yulo stepped onto the mat, he showcased his incredible skill, balancing difficulty and execution flawlessly.
Yulo performed a 6.6-difficulty vault at the crucial moment. Combined with a 9.433 execution score, his total of 15.433 set the bar sky-high.
“Nagulat din ako. Confident ako na matatayo ko siya pero hindi yung ganung landing,” the 24-year-old Manileño recalled.
He concluded his routine with a Kasamatsu double, scoring 14.800.
The freedom to be creative stemmed from the confidence gained the night before, having secured gold in the floor exercise event.
“Feeling ko po nakatulong din yung kahapon, relaxed na ko. Parang nag-training lang ako. Walang pressure at all and I was there to have fun. Just savor the moment,” the soft-spoken gymnast shared.
“All out na e, last na ‘to. Parang, ‘Let’s do it!’”
Now, Yulo is celebrated as the greatest Filipino athlete of all time.
With his two gold medals, he is expected to receive incentives totaling at least P100-million from both the government and the private sector.
Under the guidance of his second mother, Cynthia Carrion – president of the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines – Yulo plans to save and invest his earnings for both his future and the future of gymnastics in the Philippines.
“I’m gonna save it and invest. I’m not an athlete forever. I have to take care of my personal life and balance it. I also want to give back to the young gymnasts.”
