Metro Manila, Philippines — Mark Yulo, the father of Filipino gymnast Carlos Yulo, shares the nation’s pride in his son’s historic gold medal finish at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
WATCH: Mark Yulo, the father of Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo, reacts to his son's victory in the 2024 Paris Olympics
In a contributed video, Mark says Carlos worked hard to perfect his routine.
"Deserve niya iyan. Dugo at pawis 'yung pinaghirapan ni Caloy diyan,… pic.twitter.com/sPPXeha2YI
— NewsWatch Plus PH (@newswatchplusph) August 4, 2024
The 24-year-old athlete from Manila, fondly called Caloy, emerged on top in the floor exercise final at the Bercy Arena on Saturday, Aug. 3.
“Masaya kasi matagal na panahon ‘yang inaano ni Caloy, nire-ready,” Mark said in a video.
“Kasi simula nong 2020 Japan Olympics, four years niyang tiniis ‘yan. Talagang pinagpaguran ng bata,” he said.
[Translation: I’m happy because Caloy got ready for a long time. Since the 2020 Japan Olympics, he endured four years of training. He really did the work.]
Four years ago, Yulo had a shocking Tokyo Olympiad qualification in the floor exercise as he fell in his tumbling pass. He only proceeded to the vault final where he settled for fourth place.
But after that, he showed his strength and determination, continuously bagging medals in various meets, until he qualified for the Paris Games.
“Deserve niya ‘yan. Dugo at pawis ‘yong pinaghirapan ni Caloy diyan, talagang gustong-gusto niya makuha ‘yan,” his father said.
[Translation: He deserved it. Caloy worked hard with his blood and sweat because he really wants it.]
With his solid 15-point floor routine in France, Yulo became the second Olympic gold medalist from the Philippines. He also delivered the country’s first medal in the Paris Olympics campaign.
“Masaya po, thank God po. Laban, Pilipinas!” the patriarch said.
[Translation: I’m really happy. Thank God. Fight, Philippines!]
Yulo has a chance to clinch another medal in the vault final on Sunday.
Nesthy Petecio will be fighting in the quarterfinals of the women’s 57-kilogram boxing event also on Sunday. If she wins, she follows Aira Villegas (women’s 50-kg weight class) in having a guaranteed bronze medal.
Pole vaulter EJ Obiena, another medal bet, also obtained a finals berth.
