KARL Jahriel Eldrew Yulo took another giant leap in his dream of following the footsteps of his older brother, two-time world gymnastics champion CarlosYulo.

Yulo lived up to his high billing as he completed a smashing seven-gold sweep of the individual events in the boys 14-17 event of the Men’s Artistic Gymnastics competition of the 2023 Batang Pinoy at GAP Gym in Intramuros, Manila.

The 15-year-old Yulo topped all the individual events — vault, still rings, floor exercise, high bar, parallel bar, pommel horse, and the individual all-around — to move closer to become the most medalled athlete in the event supported by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), PBA, Milo Pocari Sweat, Smart Communications, Grab, Shakey’s Philippines and Chooks-To-Go.

Yulo, who also secured four golds, one silver, and one bronze in the 2023 JRC Stars Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Bangkok, Thailand, looks to secure his eighth gold medal in the team event pending the official results of the team event where he was part of the Manila squad.

In the women’s event, Maria Celina Angela Gonzales of San Juan brought home five gold medals by dominating the uneven bars (6.500), balance beam (8.150), floor exercise (8.750), and individual all-around (34.700) events.

Gonzales, however, settled for silver in the vault event with a score of 9.300 points, losing only to Tchelzy Mei Maayo of Taguig.

Tagum, composed of Hollie Bautista, Aluna Margauz Labrador and Alessa Reese Solis, was crowned team champion, amassing a total of 44.150 points.

In the swimming competition, Arvin Naeem Taguinota II of Pasig City claimed his fourth gold medal after winning in the boys 8-12 200 meter IM, boys 12 & Under 50 meter backstroke, boys 12 & Under 100 meter backstroke, and 200 neter medley relay.

In BMX, Leila Anika Cervantes and Jeanne Soleil Cervantes bagged the gold medals for Parañaque,

Leila Anika Cervantes emerged victorious in the BMX Girls 13 & Under category, while her sister Jeanne Soleil Cervantes, secured the gold in the girls 14-15 category.

Emmanuel Redilla of Imus brought home the gold in the boys 13 under division.

Meanwhile, Guimaras City claimed three golds out of the five contested events in the BMX racing competition held in Tagaytay City.

Gremarc Gyan Dela Gente from Guimaras and Ben Rian Babica of Guimaras emerged as champions in the boys 14-15 category, while Ben Rian Babica secured victory in the boys 16-17 division.

Baguio City garnered amassed a total of 13 golds, six coming from muay thai and five in taekwondo, aside from seven silvers and 22 bronzes to lead the medal tally.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Robert Andaya