Double gold medalist Carlos Yulo was the guest of honor as the Athlete of the Year at the annual Philippine Sportswriters Association Awards Night on Monday.
Gymnast darling and two-time Olympic champion Carlos Yulo was feted with the highest honor as he was named Athlete of the Year by the Philippine Sportswriters Association during their annual awards night on Monday held at the Manila Hotel.
Yulo, who follows in the footsteps of 2020 Tokyo gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz and Olympic pole vaulter EJ Obiena as winners of the award in recent years, highlighted a night that feted sports’ biggest achievers.
The event also honored past Philippine Olympians as the 2024 Paris Olympics marked the country’s centennial anniversary of participation. Representatives as early as the 1972 Munich Games were present, led by basketball player Freddie Webb.
Also present were the likes of Akiko Thomson-Guevarra, Toni Leviste, Jasmine Alkaldi, Mary Rose Tabal, among others.
After being feted with his award, Yulo expressed gratefulness and acknowledged all his fellow awardees, citing each athlete’s dedication in honing their craft and bringing glory to the country.
“Unang una po sobrang nagpapasalamat po, super grateful. Nagpapasalamat po sa Panginoon sa mga nakuha pong possibilities, blessings po na binigay niya sakin. Lahat po kami dito winner. Di po ako naiiba sakanila, di rin sila naiiba sakin,” said Yulo.
“Saludo ako sa hard work and dedication na ibinibida sa pang araw-araw na training, para sa kanila 'tong lahat,” he added.
Yulo’s fellow Paris Olympians were also given awards for their participation in the quadriennial meet. Bronze medalists Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas were given the President’s Award.
Diaz, who previously won the Athlete of the Year plum, was inducted into the PSA Hall of Fame for her contributions to Philippine sports as the country’s first-ever Olympic gold medalist.
Other major awardees included Jia Morado-De Guzman (Ms. Volleyball), San Miguel Beermen’s June Mar Fajardo (Mr. Basketball - Professional), and two-time UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao (Mr. Basketball - Amateur).
For Yulo, there was double reason to celebrate as younger brother Eldrew was also given a special citation for his own achievements in gymnastics.
The older gymnast shared his brother’s joy in being able to come home with the award.
“Sobrang nagagalak ako na may susunod sa after ko. Winiwish ko po talaga and pinagdadasal na sana maabot niya po yung gusto niya sa buhay at syempre sa pagiging atleta,” he said.
@onesportsphl GOLDEN BOY 🌟 Double Olympic champion Carlos Yulo takes time to snap photos with his fellow Olympians and athletes at the 2025 PSA Awards. | via Jamie Velasco/One Sports #OSOnTheSpot #Paris2024 #PSAAwards #OneSports
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Other major awards included Executive of the Year for Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, NSA of the Year Gymnastics Association of the Philippines, and cue artists Rubilen Amit and Carlo Biado.