MANILA — Two-time Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo is gearing up for his return to the Asian Games, after missing out on the 2022 edition in Hangzhou, China.
After going on a trip with his loved ones to Melbourne, Australia, Yulo has been training hard on the mats at the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP) Gym in Intramuros, Manila.
Yulo did not compete in the 2022 Asiad due to schedule conflict with the 2023 FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Antwerp, Belgium, which provided a pathway to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
READ: How Carlos Yulo was built into an Olympic champion
The Philippines' first male Olympic gold medalist is looking to win an Asian Games medal, an achievement that has been missing in his already glittering collection.
The country has also not yet won a medal in artistic gymnastics in the Asiad.
"Right now we're preparing po our training camp before we go to Asian Games, mauuna kami doon ng two weeks for training camp. And hopefully maging safe. 'Yun lang naman palagi ko ding dasal po sana mag-perform kami sa ninanais naming performance. And sana makauwi kami ng medals for the Philippines," Yulo said at a press conference for the MPL Philippines Season 18 opening on Friday in Quezon City.
Unlike in the previous Asiad that he participated in, the double Olympic gold medalist will be competing alongside his brother FIG World Cup gold medalist Eldrew Yulo.
The two gymnasts shared the stage and the podium last June, winning gold and bronze in floor exercise at the 2026 Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Zunyi, China.
READ: Carlos Yulo wins gold, Eldrew takes bronze in floor exercise finals at Asian Championships
"Of course, this is not our first time sharing the podium na. It's going to be the second. But this is the first time for us sharing the podium for Asian Games po. So I'm really excited. Hopefully makauwi kami ng medal not just for us, but for the Philippines din po," Yulo said.
Aside from competing at the Asian Games, Yulo is also rooting for the country's over 400-strong delegation like esports, as an avid gamer.
"At the same time 'yung pinaglalaban 'yung mga esport natin, 'yung mga athletes natin. I know tayong mga Pilipino, hindi tayo papatalo. Gusto natin bigay 'yung best natin, especially sa esports, sobrang competitive natin diyan," he shared.
READ: Carlos Yulo celebrates 'special win' in France
Yulo hopes he will have the opportunity to cheer for his fellow athletes at Asiad, should he be able to watch other sports live.
"Sana po. Gustong gusto ko po makanood ng ibang sport bukod sa gymnastics. Palagi na lang gymnastics napapanood ko. I wanted to try, I wanted to watch other sports. If may opportunity, I will really go to support and cheer for them," he said.
The Yulo brothers will be joined by SEA Games gold medalist Juancho Miguel Besana, SEA Games double bronze medalist Justine Ace De Leon and Filipino-American gymnast Zachary Nunez on the men's artistic gymnastics team.
The men's artistic gymnastics team is optimistic they can deliver a medal for the Philippines, whether it be as a group or individual.
Artistic gymnastics at the Asian Games is scheduled for September 21 to 25 at the Nagoya City General Gymnasium (Rainbow Hall) in Japan.