Chloe San Jose shared Carlos Yulo’s priceless reaction to a surprise homecoming celebration after his gold-medal win in the men’s vault at the 53rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Indonesia.
After winning gold in the men’s vault at the 53rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Indonesia, Carlos Yulo returned home to a heartfelt surprise from his closest friends.
Yulo’s first vault—a high-risk routine with a 5.600 difficulty—earned a score of 15.200, setting the tone for his golden performance. His total average of 14.866 edged out Armenia’s Artur Davtyan (14.833) and Ukraine’s Nazar Chepurnyi (14.483) to claim the top spot.
[ALSO READ: Carlos Yulo nabs vault gold in World Gymnastics Championships]
In a post on social media, Yulo’s girlfriend Chloe San Jose shared a glimpse of the intimate celebration that greeted them in Manila.
“Woke up from our long nap coming from our flight from Jakarta to Manila early this morning, still half-asleep and in our pambahay when... SURPRISE!! 🥹🤍” she wrote.
“Excuse our sleepy faces and pajama, but this moment means the world. No fancy setups, no grand gifts; just the truest form of love, laughter, and the people who’ve been with us through it all when everything was uncertain.”
[ALSO READ: Love and gold in Jakarta: Chloe Ann San Jose cheers for Carlos Yulo’s latest gold medal]
She also thanked their small circle for always showing up:
“It’s really not about the material things, but the presence, the memories, and the hearts that stay constant. Thank you to our small but genuine family and circle of friends, for always showing up and reminding us what matters most 💌 Mahal, we’re so so proud of you!! Congratulations again.”
Aside from being one of the country’s most decorated athletes, Yulo has also become an achiever in another way—by earning the love and admiration of the people around him.
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Inna Mina is a sportswriter with a passion for telling stories that go beyond the scoreboard.
She covers running, athletics, and other major Philippine sporting events, while also following grassroots sports, athlete journeys, and women in sports. Her work also includes lifestyle stories on health, fitness, and community.