Carlos Yulo's talent and determination, along with his team's perfect strategy, paved the way for his gold medal finish in Paris 2024.
The path to Olympic glory did not come easy at all for Carlos Yulo.
Amid all of the changes and personal struggles both inside and outside the gymnasium, Yulo found a way to qualify for Paris 2024.
Reminded by his Tokyo 2020 performance, when Yulo failed to advance in the all-around and floor exercise finals, the 24-year-old Pinoy gymnast shared how he and his team adjusted his approach during the Paris 2024 qualifications.
“I actually adjusted my D-score (difficulty score) in the qualification to qualify safely because it was all-around,” Yulo explained to reporters during a press conference. “It was also stressful for my body and my mind, so I wanted to qualify for the floor really safely.”
Yulo’s calculated approach ultimately paid off as he delivered a fearless routine that sealed his gold medal victory in the Olympics.
“On the actual final, I just went for it. I did not hesitate, and I don't know, I kinda did it today. I'm really grateful,” said Yulo.
The historic victory is not just a personal achievement for Yulo but also a significant milestone for the Philippines. Yulo made sure to dedicate his victory to the Filipino people, acknowledging their unwavering support.
“We are a really small country, and the portion of our athletes is not that big, not the same as like the US or UK, so to be able to get a gold medal is really big for us and huge,” said Yulo.
“I dedicate this to the Filipino people who are supporting me and having a hard time as well. I'm really grateful for them. I just want to say thank you for watching me and praying for me throughout the competition,” he added.
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As Yulo stood on top of the podium, his gold medal became proof of overcoming all the struggles and doubts that came his way to reach his dream.
The Philippines’ “Golden Boy” will have another shot at glory as he competes in the vault finals later at 10:24 p.m. (Philippine time).