Two-time Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo has been featured as the cover star for the October 2024 issue of Tatler Philippines. This comes after his stellar performance at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, where he secured gold medals in both the floor exercise and vault events, marking a monumental moment in Philippine sports history.
Yulo, who has dedicated 17 years to perfecting his craft, became the first male Filipino athlete to win an Olympic gold medal. Speaking about his experience in Paris, he shared, “When I found out that I was still qualified, I cried, and I thanked the Lord so much that, somehow, I’d still be able to compete at the Olympics.”
Prior to his Olympic success, Yulo had already made his mark in various competitions, winning 10 medals at the Asian Championships, 6 at the World Championships, and 9 at the Southeast Asian Games. These accolades reflect his dedication to gymnastics, a sport he fell in love with as a child when he first started sneaking into the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila with his friends to train.
Tatler’s feature delves into Yulo’s journey leading up to the Paris Olympics, highlighting the challenges he faced during the qualification stages and how he persevered. He recalled the emotional toll after a disappointing performance at the 2023 Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Belgium, which initially cast doubt on his Olympic prospects. However, a strong showing in the floor exercise secured his spot in Paris, where he made history.
Since his victory, Yulo has gained widespread fame and fortune, becoming a household name in the Philippines. His humble demeanor, however, remains unchanged. As he reflects on his journey, Yulo acknowledges the sacrifices and intense training that led him to the pinnacle of his sport. “Repetition is the best way to develop the basics and gain muscle memory,” he explained, noting the rigorous daily training regimen that helped him master his routines.
