It’s just the beginning for Carlos Edriel Yulo as he makes his-story by clinching double gold medals in two consecutive nights in Men’s Artistic Gymnastics in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Yulo started off by competing in all three categories, all-around, floor exercise, and vault, which earned him a 12th spot in Men’s Individual All-Around Gymnastics competition.
Not so long after his all around competition, Yulo sees the opportunity to give all out on the remaining two categories as he wishes to bring home gold.
August 3, Saturday, when he first grasped his own taste of gold by achieving an impressive score of 15.000 in his favorite apparatus – men’s final floor exercise, creating history for Yulo and the world of Philippine gymnastics.
The Olympian did not wait long as he competed in Men’s Vault Finals the next day, adding another gold to his bag by receiving 15.433 on his first vault, followed by a 14.800 in second vault, and completing a total score of 15.116. Alongside Armenia’s Arthur Davtyan, a silver medalist, and Britain’s Harry Hepworth placing third for the bronze medal.
The twenty four year old Olympian is set to receive a P10M worth of money, Olympic Gold Medal of Valor from the Philippine Sports Commission, House and Lot provided by the Philippine Olympic Committee, and a P35-Million worth of fully furnished 3-B condominium unit from a property development company.
After receiving his double gold, he shared how he has been experiencing sleep nights before and after clinching his first gold.
“It’s crazy because last night I couldn’t sleep. I was so hyped because I had won that gold medal on floor,” he said. “It still didn’t sink in. This morning I was so sleepy, I didn’t know what to do.”
“I was just hoping to perform well (today). I didn’t really expect a medal. It really felt like a bonus for me,” added the Filipino Olympian.
“I slept in the bus, I slept after the podium training. I slept before going to the competition area. I kind of was napping for 15 to 20 minutes. I felt good after that and I just went for it.”
His sleepless night paid off by re-writing the history of Philippine Sports for the second time around.
Carlos Yulo’s breaking history includes his title as the first Filipino and Southeast Asian to win two Olympic gold medal, first Filipino Athlete to bring two medals in a single Olympics, first Filipino to achieve an Olympic medal in Artistic Gymnastics, first Filipino man to achieve a gold medal, and the third Filipino multi-olympic medalist.
The Olympian started his dream on his gymnast career when he was seven years old, 17 years from now. Starting from a Palarong Pambansa candidate to a double medal Olympic Champion, a big call for the Golden boys’ long list of achievements, and a milestone for the young Yulo.
The achievements of Carlos also left a significant impact on his younger siblings, as they feel motivated in pursuing gymnastics more.
“Ang galing- galing mo kuya. Proud na proud ako sa’yo, and ipagpatuloy mo lang ‘yan. Hintayin mo kami…Hintayin mo ako sa 2028 kasi dalawa tayong mago-olympics, or tatlo tayo, even better. Tatlong Yulo.”, says Karl Eldrew, 16 year old brother of Caloy.
A dearing moment for all Filipinos as the Philippine National Anthem ‘Lupang Hinirang” echoes the whole Paris Olympics Stadium, engraving more history in Philippine Sports.