Filipino gymnast Eldrew Yulo ended the year on a high note, sweeping eight gold medals at the Chiu Wai Chung Cup in Hong Kong and headlining the Philippines’ impressive 25-medal performance.
At just 16 years old, Yulo dominated the junior division by winning the individual all-around, floor exercise, vault, parallel bars, horizontal bar, pommel horse, and still rings. He also helped secure gold in the team all-around event. His performance cements his status as a rising star in gymnastics, following in the footsteps of his older brother, Carlos Yulo, a Paris Olympics gold medalist.
Yulo’s golden streak caps off an outstanding year, including a junior vault victory at the Asian Championships in Uzbekistan last May and six medals at the JRC Artistic Gymnastics Stars Championships in Thailand in November.
In the senior division, the Philippine team, composed of Juancho Miguel Besana, Justine Ace de Leon, John Matthew Vergara, Jhon Romeo Santillan, and Jan Gwynn Timbang, also excelled, winning the team all-around gold. Besana emerged as a standout, capturing three golds, three silvers, and one bronze across individual events.
De Leon secured two golds in still rings and parallel bars, while Vergara, Santillan, and Timbang added to the medal tally with podium finishes in their respective events. Meanwhile, junior gymnast Hillarion Palles III earned bronzes in the pommel horse and parallel bars.
In total, the Philippines bagged 14 golds, six silvers, and five bronzes. The senior team was coached by Aldrin Castañeda, while the junior squad was led by Reyland Capellan.
