Carlos Yulo's father shares Pinoy gymnast sacrificed blood, sweat en route to Olympic gold

It was perfection with a touch of sweet redemption for the Philippines' Carlos Yulo. 

The 24-year-old gymnastics wunderkind amassed a jaw-dropping 15.000 points to hoist the country's first gold medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics as he reigned supreme in the men's floor exercise finals on Saturday. 

His father Mark Andrew, who had a euphoric celebration after his son's winning moment at the biggest stage of the sport, though, seemed the least surprised by the young Yulo's latest achievement. 

Mark Andrew shared Carlos dedicated the past three years in perfecting his routine in bid to complete his redemption tour following a gloomy floor exercise campaign during his Summer Games debut in Tokyo in 2021. 

Back then, Carlos failed to even just qualify for the finals round in the event he considers his signature. 

Floor exercise is seen as one of Carlos' greatest strengths as he ruled the same event in the 2019 World Championship while also winning thrice in Asian Championship and twice in the Southeast Asian Games.

"Masaya [ako] kasi matagal na panahon na ni Caloy na nire-ready ('yung sarili niya) simula nu'ng 2020 Japan Olympics. Four years niyang tiniis 'yan, talagang pinagpaguran ng bata," Mark Andrew said. 

And rightfully so, Yulo became just the second Filipino athlete to ever win a gold medal in the Olympic stage after weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz first did the job in Tokyo. He also delivered the Philippines' first medal in the Paris Olympics, and still has a chance to capture another one on Sunday in the vault finals. 

"Deserve niya 'yan. Dugo at pawis 'yung pinaghirapan ni Caloy diyan, talagang gustong-gusto niya makuha 'yan."

—with reports from Teejay Pusong/JKC, GMA Integrated News