“Ang pangarap ko po ay magkampeon sa Olympics at lumawak pa ang gymnastics sa Pilipinas.”
This was the words that Carlos Yulo has said during the Pinoy Sports Heroes sportscon of the Department of Education recently. Yulo almost came closer to fulfilling his dream of becoming an Olympic champion but he fell short by placing 4th in the finals of Vault, one of his favorite events in the recent 2020 Tokyo Olympics. But despite failing to get the podium, Yulo is very proud to represent the country and compete in the world stage once more.
“Ako po ay lubos na nagagalak na irepresenta ang bayang Pilipinas.”, Yulo, 2019 SEA Games gold medalist, admitted.
The 21-year old gymnastics wonder from Manila shares his humble beginnings of his long journey to greatness in front of many student athletes viewed on Facebook live. He also credited his Japanese coach Munehiro Kugimiya which gave him a lot of improvements in his maturity, skills and talents in gymnastics.
“Nagsimula po ako noong 2007 at nagustuhan ko po talaga ang gymnastics, pero noong nakilala ko si Coach Mune, lumawak pa ang pagmamahal ko sa Gymnastics.”, Yulo said.
Lastly, Yulo delivered his message of encouragement to the country’s student athletes in time for the opening of virtual classes yesterday.
“Lahat tayo biniyayaan ng Panginoon ng talento, kung alam ka lang kung sino magaling, ipagpagtuloy mo lang yan at huwag kang susuko, huwag kang maniniwala sa mga taong nagsasabing di mo kaya, hanggang diyan ka na lang, palaging ka maniniwala sa sarili mo, sa kakahayan mo at sa mga taong naniniwala at sumusuporta sa inyo. Huwag kang matakot na magkamali sa buhay, normal lang yun. Pagbutihin mo ang pagaaral mo at respetuhin ang bawat isa. Magpasalamat sa diyos sa biyayang binigay sa atin sa isa’t isa.”, Yulo concluded.
Yulo is continously training in Japan as he prepares for the 2021 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Kitakyushu, Japan this coming October.