DIFFERENT strokes for different folks, and Japanese coach MunehiroKugimiya has learned to treat and train Karl EldrewYulo differently from the way he mentored Paris Olympic Games double gold medalist Carlos EdrielYulo, according to gymnastics chief Cynthia Carrion.
“The training of coach Mune (Kugimiya’s nickname) is different from him (Karl Eldrew),” said Carrion yesterday during the PSA Forum.
“Kugimiya has learned that he can’t go ‘grrr, grr’ like that (with the younger Yulo). He has learned to be a bit gentler and bend a little bit. With Carlos, he was very strict,” added the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines, of the coach’s handling of the older Yulo, which eventually led to their parting of ways.
“I am glad that coach Mune and Eldrew are doing very well, but, if we might add, we have a local coach who is also handling the gymnast,” said Carrion, referring to former national team standout turned coach ReylandCapellan, a Kugimiyaprotege.
Despite the hard training, the younger Yulo said that he and the Japanese mentor, who has learned to speak Tagalog due to his long stay in Manila as the former head coach of the national men’s artistic gymnastics team, have their light moments together.
“Gumagawanamanposi coach Mune para sumaya kami sa training kahitaraw-arawkamingmagkasama. Araw-araw nag-aasaran kami sa training. Sasabihanniyaako ng ‘pangit’ (sa routine ko) or ‘kung gusto mongmagingpogi, galinganmo,’” the athlete said of their workout bantering.
Levity aside, Yulo, 17, disclosed that he has been accustomed to staying in Japan and training at the Sohgoh Gym in the Japanese city of Yokkaichi, 51 kilometers southwest of Nagoya, site of the 2026 Asian Games.
“Masasabikongmalaki ‘yung nag-improve nung skills kosa Japan. Nasabikonasasariliko ‘this is good, I can improve fast here,’’’ the athlete said, adding that he felt privileged and honored to be mentored by Kugimiya in the Land of the Rising Sun.
“Maramingibang mas magagalingperoakolangakonakapasoksa Japan (para maka-train with coach Mune,” he said.
While gearing up for the 3rd Artistic Gymnastics Junior World Championships to be held in the country in November, the gymnast said that his ultimate goal is to join his celebrated older sibling in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“(With coach Kugimiya’s help) I am positive I can make it to the Olympics. I can improve more on skills and cleanliness in my routine para maka-catchup posakanila (other elite gymnasts).
“If I want to have a gold medal, an Olympic medal, I will have to focus more on my routines and the cleanliness of my routines,” said Yulo, who revealed that he has made a “contract” with Kugimiya regarding his build-up to the LA Summer Games.
“Yes, we have a ‘contract’ with coach Mune. But that is between him and me.”
If both Yulos make it to the LA Olympics, he emphasized that he won’t be there to outshine his older brother, whose historic Paris Olympic golden double has left an indelible mark in the annals of Philippine sports.
“Hindi kosiya (Carlos) karibal, siya ‘yungginagawa kung motivation to achieve what I want to achieve po. Ang gusto kolang ma-achieve kolangpo, ginawakolangna motivation namagawa ‘yungnararapatkonggawin,” he said.
