History-making Filipino gymnast Carlos Yulo claimed his second gold medal in as many days Sunday (4 August) in the men’s vault at the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
Yulo’s victory adds to the Philippines’ growing list of achievements in the international sports, marking the country’s third-ever Olympic gold medal following weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz’s win in Tokyo in 2020.
Yulo won his first gold in the men’s floor exercise with a score of 15.000 points and a second gold in the men’s vault with an average score of 15.116.
This achievement makes him the first Filipino gymnast to win Olympic gold and the first Southeast Asian athlete to win back-to-back golds in these events.
Yulo’s journey began in his youth at the Palarong Pambansa, the national games for young athletes.
He first competed in the Palarong Pambansa 2009 in Tacloban City at age nine, representing the National Capital Region (NCR) and winning gold in boys’ artistic gymnastics.
He also earned a silver in floor exercise and finished fifth in the all-around event, motivating him to train harder.
In 2010, at the Palarong Pambansa in Tarlac City, Yulo won gold medals in the individual all-around and floor exercise, plus a bronze in the vault.
His success continued in 2011 in Dapitan, where he won gold in the team event, individual all-around, floor exercise, and vault.
Yulo maintained his winning streak in 2012 at the Palarong Pambansa in Lingayen, Pangasinan, claiming golds in the individual all-around, floor exercise, vault, and team competition.
His final appearance was in 2013 in Dumaguete City, where he won golds in the team event, individual all-around, and floor exercise, and a silver in the vault.
The Department of Education (DepEd) acknowledged Yulo’s achievement, saying, “Nakikiisa ang DepEd sa buong bansa sa pagdiriwang ng iyong golden performance sa Paris Olympics!”
Yulo’s gold medal win is not only a personal triumph but also a source of pride for the nation, inspiring many young athletes across the Philippines.
In recognition of his historic accomplishment, Yulo will receive a P10 million cash incentive under the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act.
He will also receive a Gold Olympic Medal of Valor from the Philippine Sports Commission and a house and lot from the Philippine Olympic Committee.
Additionally, the House of Representatives has pledged a P3 million reward.
