Yulo rules vault for 2nd gold, makes PH sports history
PARIS (Via PLDT Home) – The Philippines had one gold medal in the Olympics in 97 years.
Three years later, it had two in two days.
Oh Carlos Yulo! Look at how you spoil us with your greatness.
After being crowned the previous day as floor exercise champion, Yulo put the exclamation point to his intoxicating 2024 Paris Olympics’ campaign with yet another flawless routine, this time in the vault, to claim his second gold and put sports-loving Filipinos back home in a state of delirium.
Already a history maker as the Philippines’ first male Olympic champion, and first in his sport, the gymnastics sensation capped off his extraordinary stint with yet another historic victory as he averaged a stellar 15.116 points to secure the top spot in the competition.
Yulo’s exceptional performance, highlighted by a 15.433-point score on his first vault, solidified his status as the Philippines’ newest sporting icon, joining the likes of the country’s first Olympic champion Hidilyn Diaz and and eight-division world titlist Manny Pacquiao in the pantheon of all-time greats.
Earlier in the day, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. congratulated Yulo for his first gold medal.
“I am confident that it will not be the last,” the President said.
Hours later, His prediction became a reality.
In a separate post, First Lady Liza Marcos also congratulated Yulo for giving the Philippines’ first gold finish in this year’s global tournament.
“Congratulations, Carlos Yulo!” she said.
“Got goosebumps as Lupang Hinirang played at the arena!,” she said.
“We are so proud of you!” she said.
House Speaker Martin Romualdez said Yulo “earned this reward through sheer hard work and unmatched talent.”
“We celebrate Caloy’s outstanding contribution and his role as an inspiration to future generations of athletes. He is not just a champion; he is our sports hero and national treasure whose legacy will inspire countless young Filipinos,” Romualdez said.
Yulo will also be conferred a congressional medal for his exceptional achievement and contribution to Philippine sports.
“Answered prayers. We already broke the record in the Olympics,” said Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino of the country’s 2 golds in the games, eclipsing the 1 gold-2 silver-1 bronze finish of the delegation in the Tokyo Olympics. Boxing is already assured of two bronze here, too.
Artur Davtyan of Armenia, the Tokyo 2020 silver medallist, remained the runner-up with his 14.966, while Great Britain’s Harry Hepworth, just 20 years old in his first Olympiad, bagged the bronze on 14.949.
The win marked a remarkable redemption story for Yulo, who finished fourth in the same event at the Tokyo games.
Life in the Philippines as an athlete will be totally different now for 24-year-old Yulo, who with his floor exercise gold stands to earn somewhere in the vicinity of P35 million or more (the cash windfall Diaz received for her Olympic gold), including a BGC condo. Now multiply that by two.
Meanwhile, Nesthy Petecio guaranteed herself a second Olympic medal – the color of which will still be determined – after advancing to the semifinals of the women’s 57kg division after a dominant 5-0 victory over China’s Xu Zichun at the North Paris Arena.
The 32-year-old Petecio, the Tokyo Olympics silver medalist, secured another unanimous decision win, showcasing her superior boxing skills throughout the match.
Her powerful left hook proved to be a decisive weapon, consistently landing on Xu’s head.
With this victory, Petecio joins an elite group of Filipino athletes who have earned multiple Olympic medals.
Now, with a guaranteed bronze, all eyes are on Petecio as she aims to upgrade her medal color when she takes on Poland’s Julia Szeremeta on August 7 at 7:46 p.m.
