Carlos Yulo hopes gymnastics grows more in the Philippines after Olympic golds

Carlos Yulo is no doubt the Philippines' greatest gymnast after winning two gold medals in a single Olympic appearance during the ongoing 2024 Paris Games.

But the country’s golden boy is hoping he won't be the last one.

The 24-year-old gymnast said he is expecting that his recent feats — gold medals in the men's floor exercise and men's vault events — will inspire the younger generation to try the sport and emerge as the future stars who can follow the trail he blazed.

"Syempre sa gymnastics, mas gusto ko na lumaki ‘yung gymnastics sa Pilipinas," Yulo shared shortly after receiving his second Olympic gold medal on early Monday.

"Gusto ko i-try ng mga kids po ‘yung gymnastics. Gano’n po ‘yung gusto ko."

[Of course, I want gymnastics to grow in the Philippines… I want kids to try gymnastics, that’s what I would like.]

The future of Philippine gymnastics is actually already in good hands.

Aside from Yulo, several young talents have started to show off their wares in various international tournaments, including the 2023 Southeast Asian Games where the country copped three gold medals and two silvers.

21-year-old Ivan Cruz, a second cousin of Yulo, impressed in his SEA Games debut last year in Cambodia and won the floor gold medal while another budding gymnast Juancho Miguel Besana ruled the vault event.

Together, they also teamed up with Yulo to bag the silver medal in the men's team all-around event.

Aside from them, Yulo's own younger brother, Eldrew, is also starting to make a name for himself after completing a six-gold medal sweep during the 2023 Palarong Pambansa. Their sister, Elaiza, also seized five gold medals during the 2024 edition of Palarong Pambansa in Cebu.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News