Carlos Yulo, Gymnastics’ Boy Wonder, Olympic Champion

(In this edition, Above The Rim, pays tribute to a “little, big man,” named Carlos Edriel Yulo, who puts the country on the of the world following his impressive double-gold medal performance in Gymnastics In the ongoing 2024 Paris Olympics).

FOR the first time in the country’s sports history, unprecedented back-to-back gold medal victory by gymnast named Carlos Yulo,24, flashed his awesome dominance in the floor exercise with near-perfect score 15.00 as he gave the country’s first gold medal, before following it up with another golden performance in the men’s vault apparatus less than 24-hours later with a total score of 15.668.

Yulo’ score was more than enough to take the spot and the gold in men’s floor exercise as he eclipsed Israeli rival Artem Dolgopyat; who had a 14.698, and Jake Jarman (14.666) of Great Britain. As he promised himself to better, he went on, dominating the next final event (vault apparatus) with a total of 15.116 beating Artur Davtyan (14.966) of Lithuania and Harry Hepworth (14.949) also of Great Britain.

Yulo’s breaking news on the way to his first gold medal triumph, has sent the 118 million Filipinos, across the globe, broke into “tears of joy” and jubilation back home as the 4”11’ gymnast boy wonder from Leveriza, Malate, Manila became as the second Filipino athlete and Olympic gold medalist, following lady weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, who won the country’s first and long-sought Olympic gold medal during 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Actually, the Tokyo Games was held after two years of postponement brought by the Covid-19 pandemic, wherein the Philippines had its best finished in an Olympics with 5 medal total ( one silver in Nesty Petecio (women’s boxing) and three bronzes.

Aside from Yulo’s two gold medal haul, the country is also assured of two more bronze medals after women boxers Petecio and Aira Villegas hurdled their separate quarterfinal round opponents and advance to the semifinals. Should both fighters prevail in the semis,( as of this writing) their assure of silver.

As we already know, all medalist stand to receive cash incentives as provided by a government legislation since 1990. At least P2-million awaits a bronze medalist, P5M awaits for a silver medalist and P10M awaits the gold medal winner. And medalists stand to get product worth hundred thousands pesos in product endorsement and pledges from the business sectors and to their respective Local Government Units (LGU’s)where they reside.

Like in the case of Hidilyn Diaz, when she won and become the first Filipino Olympic gold medalist, a windfall of prizes in cash, and in inkind on top of the P10M she received such as a house and lot or condominium unit, brand new car, gasoline privileges, hundred thousands of product endorsement such as footwear, commercial appearances or brand wear endorser and even movie contract.

And as for Yulo, who had two gold medals, which is unprecedented as he is assured itself to be inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame when gets retired from competition. A big heroes welcome awaits him when he comes home aside from government P10m purse, a distinguish Medal of Honour to be awarded and signed by Congress and Senate, Pledges from the business and private sectors.

As of the moment, Yulo is stand to receive more than P50M in cash, and less P100M in kind and pledges, and product endorsement. As the Bonifacio Global Corporation (BGC), a days before the opening of the Paris Games, has announced that gold medalist will be rewarded with a luxurious condominium unit at McKinley Hill in Taguig worth P24M, fully furnished.

A brand new car of their choice, unlimited gasoline privilege, unlimited free food and drinks in the all fastfood chain, unlimited free movie, concert and games tickets, product endorsement or endorse raging from shoes, top brand cloths, jewelry and apparel and many more as we awaits Yulo’s triumphant return.