As difficult as the journey has been to the Olympic Games Paris 2024, Carlos Yulo believed in himself that he could win. His gold medal in floor exercise is a realization of his self manifestation.
Before the Olympic Games Paris 2024, One Sports had the rare opportunity to interact with 10 of what would eventually be 22 modern heroes making up the Philippine Centennial Team.
Carlos Yulo was among the 10 that the team had the privilege to be in contact with. Actually, Yulo was the first to be interviewed.
As far as the team’s headcanon is concerned, it seems fitting now that Yulo is also the first to win a medal in Paris 2024, taking a historic gold medal in men’s floor exercise.
[Related: The time is now for more confident Carlos Yulo at Paris 2024]
To the delight of pretty much everyone, but most especially those who followed his struggles after initially failing to meet expectations as world champion in Tokyo 2020, Caloy rose to the occasion to deliver a sensational routine, scoring 15.000 in his gold medal performance to outlast the competition.
Yulo’s golden run was fueled by intense training and sacrifice. But more importantly, it was fueled by self belief.
He knew he could do it, and he did.
“Time mo na ngayon. Maging confident ka. Ginawa mo na ‘to ng maraming beses. Just enjoy ‘yung competition and huwag masiyadong kabahan siyempre,” he said then.
Caloy’s time is indeed now, and even on the heels of his monumental victory, he’s actually not done yet.
[Related: Golden boy Carlos Yulo reveals fearless, strategic path to Olympic gold in Paris 2024]
Still in Paris 2024, Yulo will have the chance to score another gold, this time in vault. Whatever happens there though, a part of his journey is done.
As the accolades and the praise come, Yulo is amazingly self-aware enough to realize his own limitations.
In the world of gymnastics, all it takes is one mistake. But as is with gymnastics and in life, one mistake is not the end all and be all.
[Related: 'Perfect moment': Golden boy Carlos Yulo bares raw emotions after historic gold medal finish in Paris 2024]
From the disappointment of Tokyo 2020 to the glory of Paris 2024, and everything in between and all the things that will come after this golden Olympics, Carlos Yulo is persistent in his beliefs.
As cliché as it sounds, a setback is an opportunity for a comeback.
“Stay humble, syempre. Palagi ka magpasalamat kay God, huwag mo Siya kalimutan. Siya lahat ng dahilan kung ano meron ka ngayon,” Caloy said when asked what he would tell his future self.
“Syempre wag ka matakot magkamali at matuto, enjoy mo yung every opportunity and lahat ng experience sa buhay.”
Good words to live by, Olympic champion or not.
(With reports from Ohmer Bautista)