KARL Eldrew Yulo delivered an exceptional performance at the Pacific Rim Championships 2024, spearheading the Philippine gymnastics team’s impressive medal haul with two golds and three silver medals in the weeklong tournament that came to a close Sunday at the Coliseo El Pueblo in Cali, Colombia.
The younger brother of two-time World Champion Carlos Yulo topped the Men’s Floor Exercise and the Vault event, while placing second in the individual all-around, Still Rings and Pommel Horse.
Aged 17, Yulo, a decorated athlete with golden victories in the Batang Pinoy and Philippine National Games, emerged as the most successful Filipino competitor in the tournament, which drew participants from across Asia and the Pacific.
Also winning for the Philippines were John Ivan Cruz who bagged the gold in the junior, bronze medalist Juancho Miguel Besana in the junior men’s vault and Ancilla Lucia Mari Manzano, bronze achiever in the junior women’s vault.
Rowena Bautista, who was appointed by Gymnastics Association of the Philippines president Cynthia Carrion as alternate head of delegation for the Philippine team, paid tribute to the coaches, including Reyland Yuson Capellan Ton Santos Sumabal Ramos Michael Naomi Soco and team manager Bea Eusuya, as well as the technical judges Naomi Soco Cecilio Gutierrez Cabueñas Jr. Dee Coh.
“With this result, (the) 27-hour flight from Manila to Colombia is a sweet pain. Karl Jahrel Eldrew Yulo is the next World Champion of the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines. Thank you, Philippine Sports Commission, for the 100% support to the GAP delegation. GAP President Cynthia C. Norton, thank you for appointing me as your alternate Head of Delegation to this world-level tournament,” said Bautista in a social media post.
Yulo’s mother, Angelika, who was closely following the development, commended his son for his sacrifices and hard work.
“You’re undeniably strong and a beast at a very young age. First time to compete at the world stage and yet you’ve finished with flying colors truly indeed that your hard work pays off,” she said.