MANILA, Philippines – Carlos Yulo had been in the same shoes as his younger brother Eldrew and he knows what it takes to win.
Carlos provided valuable advice after Eldrew earned multiple medal chances by qualifying for four event finals in the Junior World Artistic Gymnastics Championships at the Marriott Ballroom on Thursday, November 20.
For Carlos, it is important for Eldrew to strike a balance between staying mentally ready and savoring the moment.
“Everybody is tired in the finals. It will be a battle of mental strength. For me, he should focus and think about what he needs to,” said Carlos in a mix of Filipino and English.
“And he should also enjoy. The competition is already hard and stressful so he should enjoy the moment when he is competing.”
Of course, Carlos, 25, has been through it all, experiencing both success and heartbreak on the biggest stages.
But after enduring multiple career setbacks, Carlos reached the pinnacle of sports as he became the Philippines’ first double Olympic gold medalist following his stellar run in the 2024 Paris Games.
He then followed it up with an impressive campaign in the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Jakarta, Indonesia, in October, striking gold in vault and bagging bronze in floor exercise.
Now, the spotlight shines on 17-year-old Eldrew, who reached the finals of the individual all-round, floor exercise, vault, and horizontal bar.
Chances of a medal are promising, with Eldrew finishing second in floor exercise, fifth in vault, and sixth in horizontal bar in the qualifications.
“It is a big thing for him to have this experience, especially this kind of opportunity because it is a big competition,” said Carlos.
“There are a lot of good gymnasts when it comes to the international level. I’m happy with what he is showing.”
Eldrew will take part in the individual all-around final on Saturday, November 22, then will shoot for a medals in the floor exercise on Sunday and vault and horizontal bar on Monday. – Rappler.com