CARLOS Yulo’s outstanding performance in the last Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships was just a preview of things to come in the World Championships in Liverpool, England in October, according to Gymnastics Association of the Philippines chief Cynthia Carrion.
“Coach Mune (Munehiro Kugimiya, Yulo’s coach) told me that Caloy will win at least four golds at the Worlds,” Carrion said yesterday during the victory celebration of the national gymnastics team at the ballroom Heritage Hotel in Pasay City.
Yulo, who arrived last Sunday in Manila for a much-needed vacation, acknowledged that he is aiming to surpass the three gold and silver medals that he won in the just-concluded the Asian meet in Doha, Qatar.
“We will aim to win the gold in the men’s individual all-around, floor exercise, vault and parallel bars,” Yulo, who was with his family in Baguio last Monday, said.
After placing a close second in the individual all-around to China’s Shi Cong, the diminutive Filipino phenom handily won the floor exercise, vault and parallel bars in the Qatari capital to emerge as most bemedalled entry in the men’s division.
Despite his sterling showing, however, Yulo was far from satisfied, saying by his own standards he scored just “eight out 10.”
“The fruits of our labors at the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines are now being rewarded, and the shining example of that is Caloy,” Carrion said.
She also cited the members of the national men’s artistic gymnastics, women’s artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics and aerobic gymnastics, who combined for seven gold, four silver and three bronze medals in the Vietnam Games.
Carrion also thanked Yulo’s parents, Angelica and Joriel, who were present at the party, “for not interfering in Yulo’s training in developing him into a world-class athlete.”
“Yulo’s outstanding performance has truly jumpstarted gymnastics in the Philippines. Now everywhere we go, people are asking us for gymnastics equipment,” said PSC Commissioner Celia Kiram.
