PHNOM PENH—Filipino gymnastics star Carlos Yulo will have a new role in the national men’s artistics’ team in the 32nd Cambodia Southeast Games.
The 23-year-old Yulo will serve as a replacement for any of his teammates, who do not make it to the finals of the six apparatus events of the all-around competitions.
Yulo, who is recovering from a left ankle injury, has shown his eagerness to assume this role that has been given to him by his coaches, led by Munehiro Kugimiya.
“Once na hindi pumasok iyung nilagay namin na athlete sa isang event, puwede namin ito ibigay kay Caloy,” said national coach Reyland Capellan following an evaluation of athletes on Tuesday with Japanese mentor Munehiro Kugimiya and Aldrin Castaneda.
A two-hour training and evaluation was done that afternoon with Yulo, along with his teammates John Ivan Cruz, Justin Ace de Leon, John Santillan and Jan Timbang.
In the last two editions of the biennial meet, Yulo was the most bemedalled athlete of the games.
But it will be tougher this time around after he was only allowed to seek just four medals. There’s a rule by Cambodia organizers which limits Yulo to a maximum of four gold-medals.
Yulo said the evaluation process has helped him find out where he is going with his preparations.
The hot weather in the Philippines is creating conditions that simulate what they will go through in Phnom Penh, according to Yulo.
“Galing akong Japan, malamig doon. Tapos mainit dito (Pilipinas). Magandang preparation ito papuntang Cambodia,” said Yulo.
Yulo will compete in the parallel bars, horizontal bar, all-around, and team event.
Besana will seek a medal in the vault, Cruz will go for the floor, De Leon tries his luck in the rings, and the pair Jhon Santillan and Jan Timbang will seek a podium in the pommel horse.
The artistics gymnastics competition will be held from May 8 to 9 at the OIympic National Stadium in Phnom Penh, and the Philippine squad will be in Phnom Penh by May 6.