Two-time Junior World Championship bronze medalist Eldrew Yulo said he doesn’t mind the comparisons to his older brother and two-time Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo.
Eldrew Yulo is taking all the outside noise in stride after a double bronze performance at the 3rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics Junior World Championships.
Included in the outside noise are consistent comparisons to his older brother Carlos, who has been the epitome of gymnastics success in Philippine sports, especially since winning his two Olympic gold medals in Paris last year.
But the 17-year-old isn’t minding anything and chooses to focus on his own path.
“Just ignore. I mean, just focus on your goals.” Yulo said of how he deals with the comments about him and his brother
—a three-time world champion at the senior level as well.
“We have different styles, we have different paths of life. So, kung ano man yung sinasabi ng ibang tao, I don’t care, sabi lang kayo nang sabi, I don’t care. Ganon lang.”
[READ: Eldrew Yulo beams with pride after two-bronze performance in Junior Worlds — ‘I’m so proud of myself’]
It helps that Carlos has been completely supportive of his younger brother, even catching him compete at the Junior Worlds. After winning his two medals, Eldrew was also able to spend time with Carlos, who was also with his partner Chloe.
As he enters the seniors division beginning next year, Yulo said that there really wasn’t anything bothering him for the most part.
“You’re just talking to a stone person. So yeah, I admit that sometimes, natatamaan ako, pero, yeah, I don’t give a damn,” he quipped.
[ALSO READ: Olympian Carlos Yulo proud of brother Karl coming into his own gymnastics style, movement]
Joining forces
On the other side of the fence, Carlos had nothing but good things to say about his younger brother as well, especially since they will become teammates in the seniors division soon.
Knowing just how good his younger brother is, the two-time Olympic champion is excited to have him onboard.
“For the team, malaking tulong talaga po si Eldrew, and sa senior level na yung tatahakin niya. Alam kong paghahandaan niya yun, kahit di magiging madali. For sure naman, dumaan din ako don, sobrang hirap talaga sa senior competition.” he said.
[RELATED: Carlos Yulo left in awe of brother Eldrew after double bronze medals in Junior Worlds]
Carlos did have some reminders for his younger sibling, though, as he is expected to deal with some birth pains once he starts his seniors career.
At the end of the day, Carlos believes that as long as Yulo is working on becoming a better gymnast, he’s taking the right path.
“Para sa akin, experience lang, compete lang nang compete. Sa una, di talaga importante yung mga resulta. Tapos alam mong nag-level up ka each competition. Ayun po talaga yun, ayun yung pinakamahalaga.” he said.
Yulo is expected to compete early next year in the FIG World Cups as he vies for a spot in the World Championships — this time in the seniors division where his brother Carlos is a multi-medalist (three golds, two silvers, and three bronzes).
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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.