MANILA – Filipino gymnast Carlos Edriel Yulo said a much relaxed and pressure-free performance led to his second gold medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics on Sunday night at the Bercy Arena in Paris, France.
According to Yulo, unlike during the men’s floor exercise finals on Saturday, he was more relaxed when he competed in the vault apparatus finals.
“Winning (on Saturday) took away all of my stress,” Yulo said. “Today I was more chilled and relaxed. It helped me give it all because there was nothing to lose anymore.”
“And that’s what happened. It’s so crazy, I don’t know what to feel right now,” he added. “The first vault was really good. I was so shocked that I landed it.”
Yulo connected his opening Dragulescu vault in the tuck position, taking just a small step backwards and was rewarded by the judges with a huge score of 15.433 points.
His second vault, where he nearly stumbled on his landing earned him 14.800, giving him an average of 15.116 after the event’s final results were announced.
Yulo further said he is blessed and grateful to be the first Filipino athlete to win two Olympic gold medals and join weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz as the only Pinoy bets to capture a Summer Games gold.
“I’m really blessed and grateful,” Yulo said. “Lots of interviews, lot of media (when I return to Manila) but I’m really excited to do that.”
“I’m really excited but I know it’s also going to be tough for me because it’s kind of outside gymnastics,” he added, referring to questions about his strained relationship with mother Angelica.
Aside from Yulo, two Filipina boxers in Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas are already assured of a medal finish in the Paris Olympics./PN
