Carlos Yulo’s historic victory at the 2024 Olympics did not only etch his name in the annals of gymnastics but has also ignited a wave of inspiration among Filipino athletes.

Yulo’s success at the Paris Games where he secured gold in both the floor exercise and vault events, has not only brought pride to the Philippines but has also inspired a new generation of athletes.

BREAKING LIMITS

Zayin Penetrante, a 23-year-old football player from Albay, said Yulo’s victory serves as a powerful source of inspiration.

"They [the Filipinos] can be reminded that we can push the boundaries of human possibilities. We can achieve greatness by knowing that there is not a limit if you want to be one of the bests. As long as you have the motivation and grit to push through it, you’ll be amazed [by] the highs you’ll achieve,” Penetrante said.

“To achieve [2] olympic gold medals is very inspiring for us athletes. It's not easy to have a drive that is consistent, [and] to be the greatest in your sport, and it's amusing that someone like him can do that,” she added.

Penetrante competes for the University of the Philippines (UP) competing in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).

OVERCOMING OBSTACLES

Another athlete inspired by Yulo's success is 22-year-old Sanny Shine Fajardo Zoilo, the former captain of both the Divine Word College of Legazpi (DWCL) girls volleyball team and the Bicol University (BU) Women’s Volleyball Team.

Recently competing in the Legazpi City Mayor’s Cup while interning through the Government Internship Program (GIP) at the Civil Service Commission (CSC), Zoilo reflects on how Yulo’s ability to achieve greatness despite personal challenges resonates deeply with her own journey.

"Watching how he balanced his responsibilities motivates me to make the most of my limited time and push harder in my own training — knowing that perseverance can lead to success, regardless of the obstacles," she said.

Zoilo draws parallels between her journey as a student-athlete and Yulo’s, admiring his determination and ability to achieve greatness despite facing family issues. 

"It's hard to imagine how someone can perform a gold-worthy performance under those circumstances. I believe that conflicts within one's support system are among the toughest challenges to face," she said.

"Knowing that Carlos managed to triumph despite these obstacles motivates me to confront and resolve my own challenges and strive for success in the path I will take," she added.

She believes Yulo’s story will inspire many athletes, especially the younger ones.

"He was once a student-athlete competing in national meets. He overcame challenges in his family, academics, love life, and sports, yet still managed to win the medal that so many athletes around the world dream of," she said.

"I hope that many athletes, especially the younger ones, look up to his example and are motivated to push harder and work tirelessly for their dreams," she added.

THE RESILIENCE FACTOR

Another athlete inspired by Yulo's Olympic success is 19-year-old Kenneth Salvador, a volleyball player from Angeles City, Pampanga, and a Human Resource Management student at the University of Santo Tomas. He is a member of the UST Men's Volleyball Team.

"I've realized the importance of maintaining a strict schedule, setting clear goals, and pushing myself to improve continuously. I was inspired and it gave me motivation to train harder," Salvador said.

Similar to Zoilo, what resonates most with Salvador is Yulo’s resilience.

"He has faced numerous challenges on his path to becoming a world-class gymnast. During the Tokyo Olympics 2020, he was not qualified in the finals but he trained harder to achieve the gold in the Paris Olympics 2024," Salvador said.

"However, despite these obstacles, he remained determined to pursue his passion and achieve his goals," he added.

Salvador also sees Yulo’s success as a beacon for aspiring Filipino athletes.

"His achievements demonstrate that with hard work, dedication, and perseverance, we — Filipino athletes — can compete and excel on the world stage. He gave us more motivation and hope that every Filipino athlete can do what he did," Salvador said.

THE POWER OF PERSEVERANCE

Carl Vincent Polizon of the University of San Carlos in Cebu, said it is Yulo's background story - his journey to the Olympics - that truly inspires.

“It’s the background story gyud ang maka-inspire, dili ang gold medal. So mas maayo if imo sa hatagan ug brief background sa past ni Yulo para ma-inspire gyud ang young athletes," he said.

Polizon said the journey of Filipino athletes to the podium, despite the lack of adequate support and resources, is what truly motivates him.

“Ang maka-inspire gyud is ang journey nila to achieve the podium spots, knowing walay sakto support system sa Philippines," he said.

“Daghan pa gyud issues sa equipment o uniforms pag-Olympics, dili equal ang pag-treat sa mga athletes; mao na'y naka-inspire gyud para nako," he added.

DISCIPLINE IN ACTION

Vincent Aldea, 24, a badminton coach in Ligao City, Albay who teaches children, said Yulo’s victory highlighted the importance of discipline in athletes. 

Initially planning to pursue law, Aldea took a different path by starting a badminton training camp to develop players in their community.

“As a local badminton coach who wants to produce quality players. The result of the victory of Yulo made me realize that one thing that coaches needed to strengthen is the discipline of the player,” he said.

Aldea is particularly inspired by Yulo’s humble beginnings. 

“From the young boy who represents their city in the NCR Palaro, to the boy who represents NCR for the Palarong Pambansa. These athletic meets [are] his foundation in becoming [an] Olympic Gold Medalist. Because these Athletic Meets, the Regional Palaro, and the Palarong Pambansa [are] ‘every’ elementary and high school athlete’s dream to compete,” he said.

Aldea also believes that with Yulo’s success, parents will recognize the potential of their children in sports that aren’t as mainstream.

“Parents are the first to have motivation for their kids to be enrolled in their dream sport or any sport [where] they can see their kids' potential,” he said.

A CALL TO ACTION

Another young athlete drawing inspiration from Yulo's success is 23-year-old Alexis Cardel Aringo, a shot put thrower and college student from Legazpi City, Albay.

“Seeing a Filipino athlete conquer an event in the Olympics makes me more motivated to train even harder,” Aringo said.

What inspires him most about Yulo is the gymnast’s relentless dedication despite limited support. 

"It took him many years to be able to qualify in the Olympics. Sa totoo lang, napakahirap mag-qualify sa Olympics, even sa [pag]-qualify sa national team. So by looking how he trained so hard for [a] long period of time inspires me the most," he said.

Aringo also believes that Yulo’s success will have a lasting impact on other Filipino athletes, which started with Hidilyn Diaz bagging the Philippine's first Olympic gold medal.

"Now that we have another gold medalist, which is Yulo, parang we foresee na sunod-sunod na 'to kasi nasimulan na, they proved that we Filipino[s] can also step up  on the podium," he said.

Aringo said it might also be a wake-up call for the government to provide more support, especially for young athletes in individual sports.

"Kaya makipagsabayan ng mga Pilipino sa athletics, kulang lang talaga sa supporta," he said.

ETHIC OF EXCELLENCE

Meanwhile, a 23-year-old powerlifter was also inspired by Yulo's success. Joule Evangelista, a recent electrical engineering graduate, is an Eagle Lifter and Maxburn Athlete.

He is gearing up for the Luzon Equipped Powerlifting Championship in Pasig City in November 2024.

Yulo's process, the countless unseen hours he dedicated to improving every day, inspired Evangelista the most.

"His medal is just the fruit of his hard work and dedication. Yulo trained for more than 15 years to achieve those medals, with that I was really inspired with his work ethic," he said.

Evangelista sees Yulo’s success as a beacon for Filipino athletes.

"Yulo became an inspiration to all aspiring Filipino athletes to be an Olympian someday. He is the living proof that we Filipinos are talented and great in terms of sports," he said.

Evangelista echoes Aringo's sentiments, that Yulo's success is a powerful call for greater recognition and support in less mainstream sports.

"We all know that gymnastics is not as famous as basketball, but today the government should really pay attention also to those sports, because we really excel in other sports, not just [in] basketball," he said.

FITNESS INSPIRATION

Amsttel “Kit” Caruncho, a 34-year-old Filipino bodybuilding coach from Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), shares how Carlos Yulo's Olympic success resonates within the fitness community.

"Carlos Yulo’s physique is phenomenal and that is the physique most young athletes [of] this generation want to achieve. It will surely motivate young teens to hit the gym more," Caruncho said.

Caruncho, who has been coaching at Maxburn Fitness Gym for eight years, said while Yulo’s achievements don’t directly change his approach to training clients — since bodybuilding and weightlifting are distinct disciplines — they do have a motivational impact.

"The success of Yulo’s Olympic match will surely inspire fellow Filipino athletes to strive more," he said.

Just as Olympic competitors need to be mentally resilient to achieve their dreams, Caruncho applies a similar focus to his clients, helping them stay committed and motivated in their fitness journeys.

A LEGACY OF INSPIRATION

Yulo’s victory represents breaking boundaries and the endless potential for greatness.

Aldea and Zoilo stress how Yulo’s rise from humble beginnings highlights discipline and overcoming obstacles. Salvador and Caruncho view Yulo’s work ethic as a motivational force across all sports.

As Filipinos celebrate Yulo’s achievements, some hope his success will be a rallying cry for a more inclusive and supportive sports ecosystem, as echoed by Aringo and Evangelista. 

Yulo’s success inspires athletes to embrace rigorous training and strive for their dreams, demonstrating that with unwavering commitment, Filipinos can excel globally. 

His remarkable journey is a shining example that with determination, perseverance, and a strong support system, dreams can be realized and barriers can be shattered. 

Yulo’s story is more than just an inspiration — it’s a rallying cry, signaling the dawn of a new era in Philippine athletics. 

(With contribution from Marlon Ado)