CARLOS YULO GRATEFUL FOR CHALLENGES THAT LED TO PARIS OLYMPIC GOLD - 2024 OLYMPIC

CARLOS YULO GRATEFUL FOR CHALLENGES THAT LED TO PARIS OLYMPIC GOLD - 2024 OLYMPIC

@Jackie San

CARLOS YULOIn his moment of triumph, Carlos Yulo couldn't help but remember the challenges that he endured and hurdled. 

Dubbed the "Golden Boy," Yulo had already won medals for the Philippines in several international competitions -- including the world championships. But a medal in the Olympics has eluded him; he famously struggled in the Tokyo Games, failing to qualify to the finals of the floor exercise before salvaging a fourth place finish in the vault. 

Three years on, Yulo has completed his redemption: the Filipino dynamo emerged as the gold medalist in the floor exercise in the Paris Olympics, executing his difficult routine near-flawlessly for a score of 15.000.

He sobbed when his victory was confirmed, weeping openly in front of the cameras even as -- half a world away -- his countrymen celebrated his milestone.

"Bumuhos po talaga 'yung luha ko, hindi ko na napigilan," Yulo told reporters after the medal ceremony at the Bercy Arena on Saturday night. "Kahit sobrang panget ng mukha ko sa screen, wala na akong pakialam po. Sobrang saya ko po."

Yulo's gold medal is the Philippines' first at the Paris Olympics, and only the second gold in the country's history. The first, of course, came from iconic weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, who immediately celebrated Yulo's feat on Instagram. 

There were congratulations all over social media, with Filipinos hailing Yulo's history-making moment. He was commended by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who said: "The entire country stands proud with you."

Yet amid his elation, Yulo said that what went through his mind was the long and difficult road that led to Olympic gold.

"Naalala ko lahat ng mga pagsubok ko sa buhay," he said. 

"Sobrang pasalamat po sa Panginoon na hindi niya ako pinabayaan, sa lahat ng mga challenges na binigay niya, nagpapasalamat ako. Hinubog at pinalakas Niya ako," he also said.

He expressed his gratitude to Cynthia Carrion, the head of the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines, and to his girlfriend, Chloe Anjeleigh San Jose, for their unending support. He was effusive in his thanks to the Filipino people, knowing that they stayed up late to watch him in qualifying. He was grateful for those who helped him in his journey.

And Yulo made it clear that he is also proud of himself, for the strength he showed throughout the whole process. The road to Paris had not been smooth -- Yulo memorably parted ways with his longtime coach, Munehiro Kugimiya, and there is reportedly a "rift" between him and some members of his family.

Yet he stood tall in the end -- the first male athlete from the Philippines to win Olympic gold.

"Sa sarili ko din, hindi ako sumuko. Hindi ako nagpatinag sa mga challenges," Yulo said. "Nagpapasalamat talaga ako kay Lord na pina-experience niya sa akin 'yung ganitong buhay, and 'yung ganitong opportunity na makapaglaro sa ganito kalaking competition."

"Nag-back track talaga 'yung mga hard work ko talaga kanina, kaya hindi ko na napigilan umiyak," he added. "Akala ko, hindi ako magiging emotional, pero sobrang hirap pigilan. In-all out ko na talaga today."

There will be little time for Yulo to celebrate: he returns to action tomorrow evening, this time on the vault final, where he hopes to write even more history.

"Medyo nabawasan naman din po 'yung stress sa utak ko po. And siyempre, kailangan ko pa rin po mag-focus kasi mabigat pa rin po 'yung vault," says Yulo, who was world champion on vault in 2021. "Gusto ko pa rin i-take 'yun na opportunity na makapag-uwi po ng another medal."

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@Jackie San