Carlos Yulo, family react to his double gold win at the 2024 Paris Olympics
Carlos Yulo did not expect to win his back-to-back gold. The Filipino gymnast nailed a 15.000 score in both the artistic gymnastics men's floor event and the men's vault final this weekend, leaving him astonished.
"Hindi ko po in-expect na maggo-gold medal po ako kasi medyo na-relax din pa ako kahapon eh. Kasi parang nakuha ko na po," Yulo, who had little sleep from the previous night, told ABS-CBN's Dyan Castillejo. "But God is really great, so blessed by Him. I'm well-protected and guided. Sobrang thankful and grateful po sa Kanya, hindi Niya kami pinabayaan lahat."
Yulo also thanked Gymnastics Association of the Philippines president Cynthia Carrion who supported him throughout his career.
"Grabe po yung trust and yung paniniwala po niya (Carrion) sa akin. Grabe may tao po talagang naniniwala sa kakayahan ng tulad ko po. Kaya sobra akong nagpapasalamat sakanya," he said, noting that Carrion had been there for him when he experienced challenges.
"Siya po tumayo bilang... mother talaga yung turing ko sakanya. Grabe yung pagsuporta and pag-alaga niya sa akin," he continued. "So I'm really grateful na naniwala siya sa akin at hanggang dulo hindi niya ko iniwanan."
A father's love
Back home, his family celebrates Yulo's historic achievement. After his first win, his father Mark Andrew told GMA News that the 24-year-old athlete had been working hard to redeem himself after failing to qualify for the finals round at the 2021 Summer Games in Tokyo.
"Masaya [ako] kasi matagal na panahon na ni Caloy na nire-ready ('yung sarili niya) simula nu'ng 2020 Japan Olympics. Four years niyang tiniis 'yan, talagang pinagpaguran ng bata," Mark Andrew said.
"Deserve niya 'yan. Dugo at pawis 'yung pinaghirapan ni Caloy diyan, talagang gustong-gusto niya makuha 'yan."
He also thanked his son's former coaches, Coach Munehiro Kugiyama and Coach Ricardo Otero, ABS-CBN News said.
Mark Andrew revealed that his son's ultimate dream is to be in the Olympics with his siblings Karl Eldrew and Elaiza, who are also competitive gymnasts.
"Pangarap ni Caloy magkasama sila sa 2028 Olympics magkakapatid. 'Yun ang pangarap ni Caloy, pangarap nilang tatlo. [Napaguusapan] tuwing magttraining sila, nagbobonding yung magkapatid," the elder Yulo said.
He is looking forward to a family reunion, including with Yulo's mother Angelica (from whom the athlete is estranged), after Yulo comes back from Paris.
"Sana mag bonding tayo ng mama at kapatid mo. Sana mag meet up tayo at magusap tayong lahat," Mark Andrew said.
'Sobrang daming atleta na gusto maging kagaya niya'
Meanwhile, his grandmother, Angelita Poquiz, heard cheers from their neighbors when Yulo was announced winner last Saturday. She said she was happy that her grandson finally achieved his dream.
"Masaya tapos medyo naiyak siyempre. Siguro sa sobrang tuwa sa nangyari. Kasi hindi namin akalain na makuha niya 'yung gold na 'yan eh. Congrats nakuha mo 'yung gusto mo pero sana huwag ka magbago," Poquiz told ABS-CBN News.
Yulo's younger siblings beamed with pride as they congratulated their older brother, recognizing him as a floor exercise master and an inspiration to aspiring gymnasts.
"Sobrang daming atleta na gusto maging kagaya niya. Like me, gusto ko rin maging Olympian. One thing is sobrang nakakaproud tumatak na sa larangan ng gymnastics ang taga Pilipinas, si kuya. Siya na yung pinakamagaling sa buong mundo sa floor exercise. Siyempre nakakatuwa na kuya ko pa. Nakakakilabot. It gives hope for me na posible kaya ko rin gawin yun," Karl Eldrew Yulo said.
14-year-old Elaiza Yulo echoed his sentiment, saying: "Sobrang nakakaproud po and nakakakilabot. Kasi first time marinig ang national anthem sa Olympic podium po ng gymnastics. And yung gold po na napanalunan niya po ay first time in history po."
The siblings sent well wishes to their brother, hoping to compete together at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, USA.
"Galing galing mo kuya. Proud na proud ako sa'yo. Pagpatuloy mo lang yan and hintayin mo kami. Hintayin mo ako sa 2028 kasi dalawa tayo mag-oOlympics. Or tatlo tayo even better, tatlo tayong Yulo," Karl Eldrew said.
"Nandito lang kami nakasuporta sa iyo lagi kahit anong mangyari. And congrats," Elaiza said.
Yulo made history as the first Filipino to win a gold medal in gymnastics and the second Filipino athlete to bring home Olympic gold for the country.