Metro Manila, Philippines – The Philippines beamed with pride as gymnast Carlos Yulo flipped to clinch two gold medals in the Paris Olympics.

Yulo’s family, who fondly call him Caloy, cannot believe the feat.

“Ang gagaling ng mga kalaban… Alam ko makakaano siya, makaka-medal pero hindi ko alam na makaka-dalawang gold,” Yulo’s grandfather, Rodrigo Frisco, told NewsWatch Plus on Monday, Aug. 5.

[Translation: His opponents were good. I knew that he would win, but I did not expect it to be two gold medals.]

Flipping from Manila to the world

Frisco said Yulo’s enthusiasm for gymnastics began at seven years old. He brought his grandchildren to a playground, where another kid executed tumblings.

He said his grandchildren imitated the gymnast.

“Mga malalakas din ang loob. Nakakaya naman nila. Hindi ko rin binabawalan dahil — alam ko ring delikado – pero talagang ganu’n ang bata,” the grandfather recalled.

[Translation: They are strong willed. They can do it. I did not stop them. I know it is dangerous but kids are like that.]

At a later time, Frisco and his grandchildren went to Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila to watch a game. Yulo did tumblings in an open area while waiting for the match, and caught the attention of an athlete.

The athlete advised Frisco to let his grandson try out in the gymnastics team. He did, and that began Yulo’s formal training.

There were times when Yulo tripped as he tried leaping to reach his dreams.

“‘Yung competition minsan kagagaling mo lang sa Cebu, after two days, meron na naman sa Zamboanga. Parang napagod siya. ‘Ayoko, hindi ako sasali.’ Sabi ko, ‘Hindi pwede, Caloy. Sinong ilalaban ng Manila... Isang competition na lang ‘to, papahinga ka na naman nang matagal,’” Frisco recounted.

[Translation: There was a time when the competition was in Cebu. After two days, there was another one in Zamboanga. He got tired and said, “I don’t want to join anymore.” I replied, “You can’t, Caloy. Who will fight for Manila... It just one more competition, and you will rest for a long time.”]

Yulo bounced back and regained his balance.

Through the years, he won a number of medals which are displayed in the 24-year-old gymnast’s home in Malate, Manila.

Frisco is elated to see how Yulo jumped from a passionate young athlete to a world champion.

Mounting as an inspiration

Yulo has also become an inspiration to his younger siblings Karl and Elaiza who are also training for gymnastics.

His 10-year-old cousin, Francis Poquiz, who has been training for four years, also looks up to him. Poquiz juggles his academics and gymnastic training everyday.

NewsWatch Plus asked if he gets tired with his activities. He answered: “Masaya po… Hindi po. [It is fun… no.]”

Francis bagged two gymnastics medals, and he said he plans to join more competitions and eventually teach gymnastics.

Frisco advised parents and guardians of young aspiring athletes to be supportive of their aspirations.

“Ang training napakahirap, napakasakit, napakadelikado,” he said. “‘Pag nasaktan ‘yan, ayaw na. Kaya kailangan may encouragement from elder kagaya ko.”

[Translation: Training is difficult, painful, and dangerous. When they get hurt, they want to stop. That is why encouragement from elders like me is necessary.]