Pinoy gymnast big hit in Doha

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino gymnast Carlos Yulo continued to make heads turn and win medals for the country – in the world stage.

The 18-year-old Yulo bagged the bronze medal in the floor exercise of the 2018 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Doha, Qatar late Friday evening.

He is the first Filipino and first from Southeast Asia to win a medal in the prestigious event.

Yulo was an instant hit in the event that attracted the world’s best, including Simone Biles of the United States, a quadruple gold medalist in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

“Even the top officials here came to me to tell me, ‘You have a very good athlete there. That boy is really good,’” said Gymastics Association of the Philippines president Cynthia Carrion.

She told The STAR over the phone yesterday that immediately after the event, she received a juicy offer on behalf of the young Pinoy athlete.

“The United States was offering me a good deal but of course I could not do it. They offered me a sponsorship – all-expenses paid for schooling, scholarship, training, everything,” said Carrion.

“They said, ‘Just bring Caloy to the United States.’ But I said, ‘No, no. Thank you. He’s okay.’ Of course he will stay with us,” added Carrion of Yulo, who trains in Japan under his coach, Munehiro Kugimiya.

Carrion thanked the MVP Sports Foundation for funding the training of Yulo, who receives a monthly allowance from the Philippine Sports Commission.

“But whatever he receives from the PSC in allowances, he gives to his family. He comes from a very poor family in Leveriza in Manila,” said Carrion.

Yulo, who also made it to the finals of the individual all-around in Doha, had 6.200 in the D-score (difficulty) and 8.400 in the E-score (execution) for a total of 14.600.

Artur Dalaloyan of Russia, the all-around gold medalist, ruled the floor event with 14.900 followed by Kenzo Shirai of Japan at 14.866.