Strong work ethic Carlos Yulo’s main takeaway from ex-Japanese mentor

Metro Manila, Philippines — They have parted ways but the journey of Filipino gymnast Carlos Yulo and his former Japanese coach Munehiro Kugumiya made a mark on the bemedalled Olympian and in Philippine sports in general.

Yulo and Kugumiya's partnership lasted for almost a decade and produced back-to-back medals in the global stage such as the Southeast Asian Games, Asian Championships, and World Championships.

In their training years, Yulo said developing a strong work ethic was key to excellence.

"I think what I learned from him is the dedication to work, which has taught me to be someone who keeps on trying, to not be afraid and not give up to achieve what you really want in life," Yulo told the media on Tuesday.

"When you work hard, give your time, give your dedication, give your heart, even if you don't achieve what you want in life, you could still achieve something greater," he added.

Yulo made history for the Philippines after bagging two gold medals in the Paris 2024 Olympics.