Carlos Yulo grateful for all-around finals experience ahead of Olympic gymnastics apparatus medal rounds

Carlos Yulo may have missed out on the podium of the all-around finals, but the Filipino gymnast said he is still grateful as he gained new learnings ahead of the apparatus medal rounds this weekend.

Yulo scored 83.032 to finish 12th overall in the all-around finals, late Wednesday (Philippine time) at the 2024 Paris Olympics. 

Despite not finishing in the podium, the golden boy of Philippine gymnastics will still have a chance for a medal in two other events.

On Sunday, he will compete in the floor exercise finals and will aim for a podium finish as well in the vault finals on Sunday.

"Super grateful po na healthy and naitawid ko po 'yung competition na walang nangyaring masama sa akin. Super grateful sa experience na ito. Ang daming learnings as an all-arounder, ang dami ko nakuhang strategy and adjustments kaya walang regrets at all, sobrang saya ko," Yulo told members of the Philippine Olympic Committee media, including GMA Integrated News' JP Soriano, after the tournament

(I'm super grateful that I'm healthy and I was able to finish the competition, nothing bad happened. I'm very grateful for this experience. I had a lot of learnings as an all-arounder, I got a lot of strategies and adjustments that's why I have no regrets at all, I'm very happy.)

While Yulo admitted that he had some mistakes while working on the pommel horse, vault, parallel bars, and floor exercise, among others, one thing he will maintain for the upcoming apparatus final rounds is his focus on breathing and relaxation.

"Siguro relax lang po, huwag masyadong magmadali. 'Yun po ang nakikita ko. 'Di naman ako nagmadali today pero 'yun ang pinanghahawakan ko kasi 'yun ang weakness ko talaga. Focus po sa paghinga and sa flow ng movement," Yulo said, adding that he will just work on polishing his landings and executions for his performance this weekend.

(Just relax, perhaps. Do not rush. That's what I see. I was not rushing earlier but that's what I will make sure as that is really my weakness. I should focus on breathing and flow of movement.)

The Filipino gymnast also said he just enjoyed his stint in the all-around finals, which resulted in a lighter vibe from him during the competition.

"Wala pong pressure at all. Nag-enjoy po talaga ako kasi pagpasok ko pa lang, sabi ko sa sarili ko, kahit anong mangyari, ibubuhos ko lahat. Galing 'to sa puso ko. Kung magkamali man ako, tanggapin ko 'yun, naging aral din siya sa akin. The whole competition, ang saya ko lang po. Di ko po nile-let maging negative ang energy ko. Finals na eh, ano pa ba ang gagawin natin. Tinake ko na ang moment and experience na mag-enjoy lang," Yulo said.

(There's really no pressure at all. I enjoyed it because I told myself, whatever happens, I'll give it all. This is from my heart. If I make a mistake, I will accept it and it will become a lesson for me. I was just happy during the competition. I did not allow negative energy to take over me. It's the finals so there is nothing much that I could do. I just relished the moment and experience and just enjoyed it.)

However, his mindset may be slightly different once he steps on the floor exercise and vault finals.

"This time, medyo may pressure po siguro kasi malakas na event po siya and ito po talaga 'yung meron akong chance na magka-medal."

(This time, perhaps there is also pressure because it's a strong event and this is my chance to have a medal.)

He also thanked those who supported him despite his event being aired past midnight in the Philippines.

"Super nakakataba po ng puso, overwhelming din po na ganoon ako suportahan ng mga Pilipino. Gusto kong magpasalamat sa kanilang lahat sa pag-take ng time and effort na magpuyat talaga para mapanood kami and ipagdasal ako. Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat. Isa po kayo sa nagiging part ng lakas ko," said Yulo.

(My heart is flattered, I am overwhelmed with their support. I want to thank them for taking the time and making an effort to stay up late to watch and support and pray for us. Thank you very much. My strength also comes from you.)

Japan's Shinnosuke Oka won the gold medal in the all-around finals, while China's Boheng Zhang and Ruoteng Xiao copped the silver and bronze medals, respectively.

READ MORE | Philippines at the 2024 Paris Olympics

—with reports from JP Soriano/JKC, GMA Integrated News