Carlos Yulo, the Philippines’ first and only double gold medalist in the Olympics, receives his Athlete of the Year award from the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) during its awards night on Monday at Manila Hotel. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Since his epic double-gold coup in the 2024 Paris Olympics, Carlos Yulo has yet to return competitively on the international stage.
That hiatus is about to end—and a new scoring system will welcome him back.
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The Filipino gymnastics icon hits the mat full-time beginning this month as he preps up for the 2025 Asian Men’s and Junior Artistic Gymnastics Championships in South Korea.
“We actually started training last month, but just for a few days. We will fully return this month as we try to focus on new skills for his first tournament since (the) Paris (Olympics),” said Aldrin Castañeda, Yulo’s coach and chief trainer.
The 25-year-old from Leveriza Street in Manila earned the admiration of an entire nation by winning two gold medals in the men’s floor exercise and vault in last year’s Olympics, after which Yulo took a five-month respite.
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But even during that long break, he kept his physique in tip-top shape.
“He underwent some rehab earlier to maintain a strong body and keep himself conditionally fit,” said Castañeda.
The International Gymnastics Federation has introduced a new scoring system in the men’s events that the global governing body in the sport will implement in its sanctioned tournaments.
Castañeda sees no problem with Yulo adjusting to the new set of scoring guidelines.
“Carlos will do his best for sure to perfect his routines, not only in the floor but also in other apparatus as well,” said Castañeda.
As the celebration that followed his Olympic feat died down, Yulo went back to work slowly. Training resumed at the MVPSF Gymnastics Training Center in Intramuros, Manila, recently as Yulo aims to incrementally improve before reaching peak form in time for the Asian championships in Jecheon, South Korea, from June 5 to June 8.
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Yulo is likewise a cinch to see action in the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Indonesia, from Oct. 19 to Oct. 25 and the Southeast Asian Games in December set in Thailand.
