After a successful campaign this year, top Filipino gymnast Carlos Yulo was awarded KG Management-Gymnastics Association of the Philippines Most Valuable Player last Wednesday night at the Heritage Hotel Manila in Pasay City.
The 22-year-old Tokyo-based Yulo dominated the 31st Southeast Asian Games by winning five golds, two silvers and one bronze en route to becoming the most bemedaled Filipino entry in Hanoi.
In the 2022 Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Doha last June, the pride of Leveriza, Manila bagged three gold medals and one silver medal.
He would then pocket a silver medal in the men’s vault and a bronze medal in the 41st FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Liverpool, England as well as an eighth-place finish in the men’s all-around tournament.
Filipino-American ace Aleah Finnegan was also recognized after winning two gold medals in the SEA Games and anchoring the Philippine women’s artistic gymnastics team to two silver medals
Other awardees included Yulo’s Japanese coach Munehiro Kugimiya, as well as Miguel Besana (men’s artistic), Carl Joshua Tangonan (men’s aerobics), Charmaine Dolar (women’s aerobics) and Breana Labadan (rhythmic gymnastics).
Yulo said he is willing to keep working harder in order to bring more honors to the country.
“Philippine gymnastics really shined this year. I won’t be here if it wasn’t for those who supported me,” Yulo said.
“I’ll strive harder to make sure your trust in me won’t be wasted. Let’s keep making our country proud.”
