By Paolo Mariano

(August 4, 2024) – The reincarnation of dinosaurs is more likely than gymnastics becoming a mainstream sport in the Philippines. The technicalities and terminologies continue to be foreign concepts. But out of all the impressive elements that Filipinos could’ve been curious about as Carlos Yulo competed in the qualification round in the 2024 Paris Olympics last July 27, many were fixated on one thing: His plastic container.

The non-descript receptacle housed Yulo’s powdered chalk, which is essential in gymnastics for better grip. It looked like a typical small lunchbox. A white rectangle with locks on the sides. Nothing special, really. But curiously, netizens zeroed in on it with innocent fascination.

When asked about it a few days later, Yulo was partly amused, mustering a smile. After all, his plastic container has been a quiet witness to his career.

“‘Yun kasi ‘yung nakasanayan namin sa Japan sa training. Every time na pupunta sa ibang competition, may dala talaga kaming Tupperware,” said Yulo, referring to the popular brand of plastic products that was so ubiquitous in the Philippines a few decades ago, it became a common noun in the general lexicon. “Handly lang tsaka madaling dalhin.”

On Saturday, Yulo presumably brought his plastic container anew to Bercy Arena as he competed in the finals of the floor exercise, his pet event. He also brought his focus, fortitude, and flair. It was the second of his three opportunities to win a gold medal. He settled for 12th place in the finals of the all-around last Thursday. He also qualified for the finals in the vault this Sunday.

The 24-year-old Yulo performed third among eight contestants. His splendid routine, punctuated by a glorious three-and-a-half twist, earned him 15.000 points—8.400 in execution and 6.600 in difficulty. He zoomed to the top spot, his score higher than Israel’s Artem Dolgopyat and Spain’s Rayderley Zapata—the reigning gold medalist and silver medalist, respectively—who performed before him.  

When he saw his score on the screen, the usually reserved Yulo, with his child-like facade, screamed in delight. His humongous muscles roared louder as he pumped his arms. He hugged his team and dapped up Zapata, who was visibly happy for his familiar foe.

But with five more finalists, including Great Britain’s Jake Jarman, who topped the qualification round, Yulo had to remain even-keeled. The wait became agonizing. Will his score hold up? Will destiny pick someone else? It’s not difficult to picture a knot of anxiety tautening in Yulo’s chest—and in every nook in the Philippines.

But as the remaining competitors finished one by one with lower scores, what was once a childhood dream slowly alchemized into a surreal reality.

When it was finally official that he won the gold medal, Yulo, normally an image of finesse, was beside himself. The rush of emotions was too much. He put his hands over his face then behind his head and sat on the floor. The tears came flowing. His disbelief was conveyed by how his perpetually neat bowl-cut hair became disheveled. Dolgopyat, who ended up with the silver medal, embraced him. But Yulo probably hardly noticed. He was having an out-of-body experience, his soul somersaulting in a mystical plane.

Later, when the euphoria simmered down, Yulo admitted that he had an early scare. But it proved to be just a minor one.

“Sa first pass ko, muntik pa kong malaglag. Pero thank you kay Lord dahil prinotektahan niya ko, na-save ko ‘yun. Maganda ‘yung landings ko sa mga sumunod. Hindi ‘yun ‘yung perfect competition pero ito ‘yung perfect moment para sa’kin,” said Yulo. 

How he got to this moment wasn’t ideal. It’s a familiar narrative among national athletes, who go through physical strain, mental stress, and peripheral distractions. But for Yulo, who’s as controversial as a bond paper, he rarely gets sidetracked by issues off the mat. His latest journey, however, was different. 

Last year, he parted ways with his longtime coach Munehiro Kugimiya. It came as a surprise since the mentor from Japan was widely credited for molding Yulo into a world-class gymnast since their first meeting in 2013. But it was a tough decision Yulo had to make to further his growth. 

The split was later panned when he performed poorly in the World Gymnastics Championships in Belgium, failing to win a medal for the first time since 2019. He finished a disastrous 91st place in the all-around. Luckily, he did enough in the floor exercise to earn a ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympics.

He continued to train without a coach, even just a few months away from the quadrennial conclave. Kugiyama’s compatriot, Tomoharu Sano, was supposed to take over, but he was forced to beg off after suffering an injury in Japan. Eventually, Yulo stuck with Aldrin Castañeda.

Then there were the reported problems with Yulo’s family. Last year, he left Japan, where he was based for eight years, and returned to the Philippines to live with his girlfriend, Chloe San Jose. This supposedly created a rift with his family. His priorities were questioned. There were rumors of financial disputes. Of strained relationships. 

All of these led to Yulo allowing his emotions to escape with an unforeseen level of relief when he was assured of the gold medal. It looked like a cleansing of maladies. Then an annexation of desire.

“Hindi ako pinatulog nito nang maigi ng dalawang araw. Palagi akong kinakabahan. Pero I’m really grateful na hindi rin ako sumuko sa challenges,” said Yulo. “Nandito ako, nag-show up ako, at meron akong resultang nakuha.”

The pride of Malate became only the second Filipino to win a gold medal in the Olympics after weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz and the first-ever medalist in gymnastics. He also redeemed himself after coming up empty-handed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Draped in an all-blue outfit, Yulo kept shaking his head during the awarding ceremony as if he didn’t deserve to be there. Even in victory, in front of an appreciative crowd, the soft-spoken gymnast remained modest. There was still a tenderness in him. He lightly tapped his chest twice and pointed skyward. He stared at his gold medal for a few seconds before flashing it for the camera. He shook his head even more.  

A two-time world champion, Yulo first broke out in 2018 as an 18-year-old wunderkind. The amount of pressure placed on him became directly proportional to his exponential success. Many have been tagged as prodigies or can’t-miss prospects or the next big thing. Only for them to falter. Then another wave of young athletes come along, carrying the same great expectations. In the Philippines, it’s almost an insufferable cycle. But once in a while, someone truly makes it. 

“Sobrang nakaka-overwhelm ‘yung ganitong experience. Palagi ko sinasabi, ‘Experience, experience.’ Wala namang problema doon. Pero ito ‘yung experience na tatatak talaga sa puso ko,” said Yulo.

Plus, in an Olympics riddled with complex gender issues, it was a male gymnast—twisting and twirling against the stiff-necked stereotypes—who brought golden glory to the Philippines. If anything, Yulo is a representation that no one should be pigeonholed. Coloring outside the lines is the new normal. To borrow the prose of the great sportswriter Tom Boswell, out of our pestilential sump holes of social unconsciousness rise a few strong.

“Alab ng puso sa dibdib mo’y buhay,” sang the “Lupang Hinirang” as Yulo gazed at the country’s flag being raised, his historic triumph fully sinking in and his unassailable belief glowing in the City of Lights.

“Hindi ko talaga alam kung paano ko ‘to ite-take. Pero alam ko sa sarili ko na binigay sa’kin ‘to ni Lord at deserve ko ‘to,” beamed Yulo. “Nakita ko ‘yung mga pagsubok na dinaanan ko bago ako nakapunta dito. Hindi ko akalain na kakayanin ko ‘yung ganitong resulta.” 

Safe to say, he won’t put his gold medal in his plastic container.

(With reports from Chiqui Roa-Puno and Boom Gonzales, Cignal TV)