Carlos Yulo thrilled to grant PH's wish: a second Olympic gold medal

Carlos Yulo just etched his name into the history books after flaunting a performance to remember in the men's floor finals of the 2024 Paris Olympics to win a historic gold medal on Saturday.

However, it was not just a personal dream the Filipino gymnast was able to accomplish as he also fulfilled a holy grail every Filipino is longing for: another Olympic medal. 

Knowing the desire of a medal-hungry nation, Yulo made sure to leave everything on the mat. 

"Alam ko maraming pinagdadaanan 'yung mga tao sa Pilipinas and nagho-hope po talaga na manalo tayo ng medalya dito sa Olympics," Yulo told the Philippine Olympic Committee media, including GMA Integrated News' JP Soriano, on the heels of his winning moment at the Bercy Arena. 

"Gusto ko lang pong pasalamatan sila sa pagpupuyat, sa pag-take po ng effort na ipagdasal at panoorin kaming mga atletang Pilipino."

(I know the people of the Philippines are going through a lot and I really hoped we win a medal here in the Olympics. I want to thank those who watched late at night, for those who prayed for us Philippine athletes.)

Yulo made history as the first-ever gymnast to give the Philippines a medal in the Summer Games and emerged as only the second athlete after Hidilyn Diaz to pluck a gold medal at the quadrennial event. 

The 24-year-old bemedalled athlete did so by putting together a stunning 15.000-point outing that allowed him to edge out seven other competitors, which included two fierce athletes in defending gold medalist Artem Dolgopyat of Israel and qualifying round's top performer Jake Jarman of Great Britain. 

Looking back, Yulo was just thankful that he decided to continue when the going got tough. 

Three years ago, Yulo made his debut in the Tokyo Olympics but failed to step on to the podium. 

In the floor exercise back then, he scored a dismal 13.566 in the qualification round and missed the finals cut despite flourishing in the same event in other international tournaments prior to his Tokyo trip.

However, the Malate-born dynamo persevered and three years after, he already has a gold medal hanging around his neck.

"Sobrang overwhelming po ng experience na 'yun," Yulo shared about his gold medal run.

"Grabe lahat ng paghihirap, 'yung hard work. Sobrang thankful na hindi ako tumigil and grateful din sa Panginoon na binigyan niya ako ng lakas ng loob at pinrotektahan Niya po ako."

(That was an overwhelming experience. All those hardships, hard work. I am thankful I did not stop and I'm grateful to God for giving me the strength and protection.)

—with reports from JP Soriano/JKC, GMA Integrated News