It wasn’t too long ago when Filipinos haven’t even heard of two-time Olympic gold medalist gymnast Carlos Yulo.
Before he exploded onto the Paris Olympics stage, tumbling and flying through the air like he’s weightless, not very many Filipinos knew of his struggles to place in the Tokyo Olympics, where he landed in fourth place.
Not many Filipinos know he trained in Japan for four years starting when he was 16, that he’s fluent in Japanese, and that he graduated in 2022 from Teikyo University in Japan with a degree in literature.
But before he won his gold medals, some people already knew he was capable of achieving the highest honour in gymnastics.
Cynthia Carrion, president of the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP), said in 2021 that “if he performs the way he’s training right now, he can win that gold (in floor exercise)”.
Performing at the Paris Olympics
Yulo started his floor routine with eyes laser focused on the spring floor ahead of him, taking sharp breaths and exhaling quickly.
He then started sprinting, twisting and tumbling his body up in the air, landing triumphantly on his feet after a three-and-a-half twist.
After his floor routine was over, he let out a roar that was heard all around the world by Filipinos everywhere.
He knew he did well.
It was only a matter of time before the judges agreed with him, giving him a score of 15.000, guaranteeing a gold placement.
Carlos Yulo at the Paris Olympics. Photo credit: c_edrielzxs Instagram account
Prizes beyond compare
Since the beginning of modern Olympics in 1896, the Philippines’ national anthem, “Lupang Hinirang”, has only been played once at the podium: during Tokyo’s 2021 Olympic Games, when Hidilyn Diaz won gold for weightlifting.
This year at the Paris Olympics, our anthem was heard all around the world twice at the podium.
The lyrics couldn’t be more appropriate: “Lupang hinirang, duyan ka ng magiting, sa manlulupig, di ka pasisiil (Land dear and holy, cradle of noble heroes, ne’er shall invaders, trample thy sacred shores).
Our land, indeed, is a cradle of noble heroes.
Yulo achieved something that we can only ever dream of and fantasize—to be the best at an Olympic sport.
We don’t have million-dollar training facilities in the Philippines.
We don’t have money flowing into our sports programs like they do in other countries.
We don’t have highly-trained coaches.
Our atheletes don’t even have the height sometimes—Yulo stands at a mere 4 ft. 11 inches.
And yet, amidst all obstacles, Yulo won.
Through Yulo’s motivation and dedication to his craft, his years of sacrifice as he trained in another country, he has achieved what no other Filipino has ever done before: win two Olympic gold medals, all in one historic weekend.
With his medals, Yulo stands to receive outstanding prizes: a huge cash windfall, fully furnished homes, a lifetime supply of food and other items, even free colonoscopies for life.
“I’m so overwhelmed. I’m feeling grateful for having this medal and for God. He protected me, as always,” Yulo said after winning. “He gave me the strength to get through this kind of performance and perform this well.”
