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Carlos Yulo has just made history with his achievements, shining brightly in Paris with two gold medals in gymnastics for the Philippines, in the floor exercise and vault events on two consecutive days.
Thorough preparation and the path to glory.
After a triple spin in his final somersault, Carlos Yulo raised his hands to the sky and shouted excitedly. He knew he had made history. As a result, the Filipino gymnast scored 15,000 points, surpassing the champion Artem Dolgopyat of Israel (14,966 points) in the floor exercise final of the gymnastics competition.
Yulo's achievements have helped change people's perceptions of gender norms in sports.
Yulo became the first Southeast Asian athlete to win a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. For the Philippines, he also made a memorable mark by bringing home the first gold medal in gymnastics, and becoming the second athlete to win Olympic gold (after Hidilyn Diaz in weightlifting at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics).
Yulo swept through the gymnastics arenas like a storm, consistently winning precious gold medals. Carlos Yulo has become the 'king' of Philippine gymnastics, having won 5 gold medals at the 2022 SEA Games, 3 gold medals at the 2022 Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships, and is just one step away from an Olympic medal in 2020.
The Filipino rhythmic gymnast, hailed as a "hero".
From his early training sessions in public parks in Manila, Carlos Yulo showed a natural talent for gymnastics. The young Yulo spent hours practicing difficult moves, regardless of the weather. It was this intense passion and relentless effort that transformed Yulo from a sports-loving boy into a shining star in the world of gymnastics.
The Filipino rhythmic gymnast, hailed as a "hero".
In 2016, he accepted an invitation from the Japan Olympic Association to train in Tokyo on a scholarship program. After graduating in 2022, Yulo traveled extensively, from the Philippines to South Korea and the United Kingdom, where he trained with Jake Jarman of the British team, with the goal of becoming the best. Unconstrained, the talented player from the archipelago declared his ambition was to "reach for the stars." His ultimate goal was an Olympic Gold Medal, despite the fact that the Philippines is virtually unknown in this sport, unlike Russia, the United States, Japan, or China. In his country, basketball is the dominant sport.
"Life isn't always about winning. Sometimes failure provides lessons that help us get back on our feet," he said.
"I never give up on my passion, I'm always ready to give my all and constantly push myself," Yulo said. The 24-year-old wasn't exaggerating. He won gold in the parallel bars at the World Championships in Doha, Qatar, and four gold medals in four different events at the Asian Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Men can be flexible too: Carlos Yulo and his inspiring story.
Gender stereotypes have drawn a clear dividing line in the world of Philippine sports. Volleyball and gymnastics are like forbidden territory for men. Boys who choose to pursue these two sports often face suspicious stares and hateful comments about their gender.
Yulo's achievement was celebrated across the country, igniting hope among gender equality advocates.
Gender bias in sports not only affects individual athletes but also hinders the development of these sports in the Philippines. Many young talents have had to give up their passion for fear of social stigma.
As a talented gymnast, Carlos Yulo quickly became the focus of public attention. However, with fame came considerable pressure and challenges. Besides his impressive achievements on the mat, Yulo also faced unfounded speculation about his sexuality.
The public's gossip and rumors left him feeling hurt and exhausted. Social media, which is supposed to be a place for people to share and connect, sometimes becomes a tool for spreading rumors and hurting others. In Carlos Yulo's case, false rumors about his sexuality spread rapidly across social media platforms, severely impacting his reputation and personal life.
The public and experts emphasize that it is time for parents in the Philippines to set aside gender norms.
However, by publicly revealing his relationship, Yulo strongly asserted himself and sent a message about gender equality. His actions not only helped protect his own honor but also inspired many people, especially young people, to dare to live authentically and overcome social prejudices.
The public and experts emphasize that it is time for parents in the Philippines to set aside long-standing gender norms in sports so that their children can fully develop their talents.
"Some talents are still tied to certain genders. Men are expected to be strong, while women are expected to be graceful. These gender expectations or stereotypes not only limit the potential of individuals but also of society as a whole. These biases are also seen in sports," said Vince Liban, a member of the youth-led gender lobbying group PANTAY.
Carlos Yulo's resounding victory on the international stage is not only a source of pride for the Philippines but also a powerful message to the world. His success has proven that talent knows no gender, and anyone can reach great heights with enough passion and effort.
More importantly, Yulo's victory created a wave of change in the perceptions of the Filipino people. Many began to realize that gender stereotypes were a major barrier to the development of sports and the talent of athletes. Young people, especially girls, now felt more confident pursuing sports traditionally considered only for men. Yulo's victory became an endless source of inspiration, igniting in every Filipino a belief in the future and a desire to excel.
