Filipino gymnast Carlos Yulo shattered expectations and etched his name into Olympic history by claiming back-to-back gold medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics on August 3 and 5. His breathtaking performances not only cemented his status as a global gymnastics icon but also sparked a wave of national pride across the Philippines, inspiring millions to aspire to greatness.
After falling short in the Men’s All-Around final by finishing 12th out of 24 finalists, Yulo bounced back from the setback to win not only his first Olympic gold but also a second Olympic gold in just two days.
“I did not give up on the challenges. I am thankful to the Lord for giving me this experience, this life, and this opportunity to compete in such a big competition,” said Carlos Yulo after winning his first gold.
When he won his first gold on the floor exercise, he delivered a clutch routine with a final score of 15.000, sealing his victory and earning a gold medal. He outperformed Tokyo 2020 champion Artem Dolgopyat of Israel, who settled for silver with a score of 14.966, while Great Britain’s Jake Jarman claimed the bronze at 14.933. This triumph was a historic moment, earning Yulo his first Olympic gold and securing the Philippines’ first-ever gymnastics medal of any kind at the Olympics. Adding to the weight of this achievement, it was also the Philippines’ first-ever back-to-back gold medal.
With the spotlight firmly on him after his first gold, Carlos Yulo had everyone holding their breath. Just 24 hours later, he soared into the vault finals with the grace of a gymnast on a mission. Riding high on his earlier victory, Yulo scored an impressive 15.116, snagging his second Olympic gold and making history as the first Filipino to win multiple medals in a single Olympics.
He now joins the ranks of elite Filipinos with multiple Olympic medals, standing proudly alongside swimmer Teofilo Yldefonso and weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz.
From Grassroots to Greatness
From his humble beginnings as a child athlete, Yulo’s journey has been nothing short of extraordinary.
Like other kids, Carlos was just playing at the playground near his home in Leveriza, Malate. His grandfather noticed his potential in playing and brought him to the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines. At the age of 7, the gymnast prodigy went into the world of balance beams and parallel bars, benefiting from the free programs offered by the Philippine Sports Commission.
Yulo began his competitive career in 2009, securing a silver medal in the floor exercise. This initial achievement fueled his ambition, leading him to claim gold in both the individual all-around and floor exercise in 2010. He maintained his impressive performance in years, winning numerous gold medals. His dominance continued in the years that followed, as he collected several more gold medals and showcased his remarkable skills.
In 2014, Carlos Yulo made his debut on the global stage at the Pacific Rim Championships, where he placed sixth in the floor exercise and eighth in the vault. His rapid improvement was evident as he secured a bronze medal in the Junior Competition in Yokohama, Japan, in the vault finals. This impressive performance caught the attention of Japanese coach Munehiro Kugimiya, who subsequently took him under his wing.
With the help of Coach Kugimiya, Yulo won gold medals at the 2016 Pacific Rim Championship. Even a shoulder injury did not prevent him from clinching gold in the vault final at the 2017 International Junior Competition.
In 2018, he became the first Filipino and the first male Southeast Asian gymnast to win a medal at the World Championships, making history. The following year, he secured the Philippines’ first-ever world artistic gymnastics gold in the men’s floor exercise and qualified for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
Never Giving Up
Bringing his hard-earned experience to the forefront, Carlos Yulo made his Olympic debut at the 2020 Tokyo Games. As the first Filipino world champion, he was determined to make history and set his sights on becoming the Philippines’ first Olympic gold medalist.
But fate can be as unpredictable as a gymnast. Yulo encountered a setback at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. On his signature apparatus—the floor exercise—he made a few mistakes during the qualifying round and missed the chance to compete in the medal round.
Despite the mishap, he still continued to fight in the vault finals, earning a score of 14.716. However, it fell just short—insufficient for him to reach the podium. He finished the competition in 4th place. Here’s the heartbreaker: he missed an Olympic medal by a mere 0.017 points. Yulo was only a fraction away from bronze, narrowly trailing behind Artur Davtyan of Armenia.
Just two months after the Tokyo Games, Yulo stayed in Japan for the World Championships. There, he soared, clinching gold on vault and silver on the parallel bars. Instead of returning to the Philippines, Carlos Yulo stayed in Japan to train with Coach Munehiro. Choosing growth over comfort, Yulo pursued his dream with unwavering determination.
Flipping His Destiny
Courtesy of figymnastics.
From flips to fortune, it seems as if Carlos Yulo’s life has turned around dramatically after he won two gold medals. Carlos Yulo received numerous opportunities and incentives following his Olympic victories.
After all his hard work, he is reaping the rewards of success. In a sense he could potentially receive a total of 56 million pesos in cash. In addition to this, he will also be awarded a condo unit worth 34 million pesos, a house and lot, a brand new car, and various lifetime offers from well-known companies.
While his achievements are truly remarkable and his recognition well-deserved, it’s encouraging to see that he receives not only financial support but also long-term security and acknowledgment.
Carlos Yulo is GOLD
Carlos Yulo’s achievement is a game-changer, shaking up how we view his sport. His success is like a ripple effect, breaking down old barriers and showing that greatness in athletics isn’t limited by gender or conventional norms.
This landmark victory highlights the importance of diversifying our investment in sports. It sends a message that we must channel resources into other athletic disciplines. Yulo’s success demonstrates that extraordinary talent exists beyond the spotlight, and with the right support and funding, athletes in less-recognized sports can achieve greatness.
Carlos Yulo’s journey is a shining example of what dedication and the right support can achieve. His story proves that with hard work and the right resources, extraordinary feats are within reach. His legacy will inspire future generations to dream bigger and break through limits in their own fields. As more focus and funding flow into diverse sports, we’ll see a more inclusive and vibrant athletic scene, benefiting athletes across all disciplines.
His triumph goes way beyond the gold medal, it’s a glimpse into future golden moments. His victory underscores the critical need for investing in sports and supporting athletes, showing that true success comes from nurturing talent and providing steadfast support, regardless of the outcome.
Just like the old saying: ‘If you fail once, don’t stop. If you fail twice, don’t stop. And if you fail many times, stop, think for a while, and don’t stop.’ Sometimes it’s those seemingly impossible dreams that end up being the most rewarding to chase.
Written by | Deemar De Juan
