After competing in his first and last Junior World Championships, Eldrew Yulo is patting himself on the back after bagging two bronze medals.
Eldrew Yulo is taking in all the positive feelings after he ended his first and only FIG Artistic Gymnastics Junior World Championships with two bronze medals, capping his campaign with a podium finish in the men’s horizontal bar at the Marriott Grand Ballroom in Newport, Pasay on Monday.
Yulo, 17, will be taking his talents to the senior level starting next year, joining his brother Carlos.
The younger Yulo shrugged off pain in the last two days of the competition to win his two medals after hurting himself in the men’s all-around final on Friday.
He injured his right ankle after a deep landing in his first vault, which also caused him to go out of bounds on the dismount.
Managing the injury, Yulo was able to win bronze in the aforementioned horizontal bar as well as in floor exercise. He also finished fourth in the vault.
[RELATED: Eldrew Yulo caps Junior World Championships with a second bronze medal in horizontal bar]
After wrapping up the competition, the young gymnast is eager to get some rest and relaxation.
“Gusto ko po magsaya, gusto ko na po mag-swimming, magpahinga, kumain, mag gala, pahinga, kumain. Paulit ulit, magpahinga, kumain, gumala, yun na lang po nasa isip ko ngayon. I’m so proud of myself even though top 3 lang, still,” he said.
“I know a lot of people will tell that ‘lang’ but still, this is not just a ‘lang,’ this is for my hard work too, this symbolizes pride, the blood I spout, and the disappointment, but still, this is the bronze medal in the world.”
History maker
More than just a personal achievement, Yulo did make waves for Philippine gymnastics.
In the five-day tournament, Eldrew was able to clinch the country’s first ever medals in this competition, while also completing routines Filipinos hadn’t done before.
A particular move during his horizontal bar left even Yulo himself surprised at how he was able to do it.
“My final performance was good, I stuck the landing. As you can see guys, that’s the most beautiful dismount that I ever did, that’s the most difficult that I ever did. And as a matter of fact, I’m the first Filipino gymnast that did the Cassina 1, with the full twist and the catch and a triple back dismount,” he said.
“I am the first Filipino to do it, Filipino gymnast to do it… I’m so proud of myself,” Yulo continued.
At the end of the day, Yulo was happy to see all his preparation pay off, especially having sacrificed so much.
“It’s all hard work, it’s not just lucky, it’s hard work. Pinagisipan ko ng maayos yun,” he said.
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Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.