KARL Eldrew Yulo of the National Capital Region shows up at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum today with his sights set on a golden sweep of the men’s artistic gymnastics competition and possibly becoming the most bemedaled athlete of the 63rd Palarong Pambansa.
Yulo, 15, the younger brother of two-time world champion Carlos, goes for all the marbles in the floor exercise, vault, horizontal bars, and mushroom.
He copped the mints in the individual all-around with 46.25 points and anchored the Big City gymnasts’ gold medal triumph in the team all-around after they totaled 41.7 markers two nights ago.
The pressure to deliver and expectations that come as heir apparent to his celebrated older brother is just fine for the Adamson High School standout.
“Masaya. Siyempre, ini-expect ko na rin po ito,” Yulo said. “May pressure pa rin po kasi maraming nag-e-expect. Kailangang maka-gold, kailangan walang tumba, kailangan walang magkakamali.”
Yulo’s previous highest gold haul was five in Antique in 2017 and in Davao four years ago in the elementary level.
These Games are fast proving to be special for Yulo.
“Special kasi ito kasi nagagawa ko na iyong mga magagandang skills ko sa floor and vault,” Yulo said. “Noon kasi nagtitiis ako na mag-high school ako para magawa iyong lahat ng mga new skills ko kasi noong time na cluster 2 ako, mataas na iyong level ko. Limited lang kasi iyong skills na puwedeng gawin kapag cluster 2.”
