Gymnast Caloy Yulo shows emotion after giving the Philippines its first gold in the Paris Olympics. FIG photo
Yulo is PH’s new golden boy
PARIS – Caloy Yulo, the Philippine gymnastics golden boy, was “shooting for the stars” after missing out on the podium in the Tokyo Olympics.
Yulo triumphed in the men’s floor exercise of the gymnastics for only the second Olympic gold in the history of the Philippines.
“I’m so overwhelmed. I’m feeling grateful for having this medal and for God. He protected me, as always,” said Yulo, who also became the first man to win the gold since the country started participating in the Games in 2024.
“He gave me the strength to get through this kind of performance and perform this well.”
The 24-year-old matched the achievement of weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, who won gold at the Covid-delayed Tokyo Olympics three years ago.
Yulo, whose career ups and downs have included vault and floor world titles but also a disappointing Tokyo campaign and a last-place finish in all-around qualifying at last year’s world championships, collapsed in tears as the final competitor’s score was read and he was confirmed as champion.
“I just went for it, I didn’t hesitate,” said Yulo, who has a chance of another medal in the vault final on Sunday.
Diaz congratulated Yulo for his brilliant performance in his pet event.
“Proud ako sa iyo. I enjoy mo ang bunga ng pinagpaguran mo. At lagi mong ibabalik – sa Diyos at bayan, dahil lahat ng tagumpay natin ay hindi pansarili. Salamat sa lahat ng maganda at mabuting ginagawa at gagawin mo pa para sa Diyos at bayan!,” Diaz wrote on her social media accounts.
The former world champion perfectly executed his jaw-dropping routine, ending with a sure-footed landing to score 15.000 points. It sealed the Philippines’ first-ever gymnastics Olympic medal.
World titleholder Artem Dolgopyat of Israel was pushed into silver with 14.966.
Great Britain’s Jake Jarman, who had scored highest in qualifying a week ago, achieved 14.933 to take bronze at Bercy Arena.
Yulo’s acrobatic and technically difficult routine proved a hit, scoring higher than the 14.766 the Leveriza native had garnered in qualifying.
“In the qualifications, I played it very safely,” Yulo said. “Today, I felt I couldn’t hold back and hesitate. If I really wanted to win, I needed to give my everything.”
The 4-foot-11 Yulo earlier finished 12th overall in the men’s artistic gymnastics all-around final.
The Philippines gymnastics team had an Olympics to remember.
Levi Ruivivar, Emma Malabuyo and Aleah Finnegan earlier made history by ending a 60-year drought for the participation of Philippine women gymnasts in the Games.
