Two-time Olympic champion Carlos Yulo at the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines Gym in Intramuros, Manila, August 24, 2026. Photo by Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News.MANILA – Two-time Olympic champion Carlos Yulo has won nearly every gold medal in men's artistic gymnastics, but the Asian Games is one competition he has yet to conquer.
Yulo's golden collection already includes the Olympics, World Cup, World Championships, Asian Championships and the Southeast Asian Games.
Two years after making history in the Paris Summer Games, Yulo is chasing another goal at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
Yulo makes his second appearance in the continental showcase, after his debut at the 2018 edition in Jakarta Palembang, Indonesia.
He is aiming to complete his golden collection by adding an Asian Games medal – which would also be the first for the country in gymnastics.
"Wala pa kasi ako title sa Asian Games eh. 'Yun po ang gino-goal ko. Makakuha ng medal sa floor, vault, at all-around," he told ABS-CBN News on Monday at the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines Gym in Intramuros, Manila.
Back in 2018, then 18-year-old Yulo was coming off a FIG World Cup silver medal in vault and silver in floor exercise, making him a favorite to win Asiad gold.
However, Yulo finished fourth in vault and seventh in floor exercise after committing landing errors, despite topping the qualifications of his pet event.
"Gusto kong bumawi sa Asian Games. Kasi 'yung naging experience ko nga noong 2018, gusto ko din ibawi 'yung sarili ko. Kung sino din po ako right now, gusto ko din po i-challenge 'yung kakayahan ko," he said.
Looking back at his Asiad debut,Yulo admitted he was still a young and inexperienced gymnast who still had a lot to learn both inside and outside of the sport.
"Nahihirapan kasi ako nun sa diet ko. Ang bigat ko nun that time. And 24 hours kasi 'yung canteen nun. So, yeah, kain ako nang kain nun at that time. Hanggang madaling araw. So, 'yun 'yung naging problem ko nung before," he shared.
"Bukod sa wala akong masyadong experience pa nun, kasi 18 pa lang po ako nun. Another good experience din siguro 'yun sa akin na parang lesson learned siya. Nahirapan talaga ako doon that time po. Pero yeah, it's a good story. Ganun talaga, may time talaga na ganun," Carlos explained.
Yulo missed out on the 2022 Hangzhou Asiad due to scheduling conflict with the World Championships, which served as a qualifier to the 2024 Paris Olympics.
With several gold medals and more experience under his belt, he said he's come a long way from the young gymnast that competed in 2018.
"Siguro po 'yung control sa sarili din. Wala pa po noon. And siyempre, 'yung experience na nagko-compete together with 'yung mga elite talaga. [And senior level. Iba kasi 'yung senior level sa junior eh. Sobrang laki po ng diferencia," Yulo said.
"So, yeah, 'yung before na ako, malayo pa, pero malayo na 'yung gap namin. And 'yung growth ba, sobrang layo na din po. Siguro mas positive ako ngayon. And mas may tiwala sa sarili. And mas alam 'yung gagawin po," he shared.
Despite being a two-time Olympic gold medalist, Yulo knows the road to gold will not be easy, given the level of gymnastics in Asia.
"I know it's gonna be hard, especially all-around. But hindi din malabo na magawa natin or makakuha tayo ng medal. Hindi lang siya madali, pero may chance po tayo," Yulo said.
"So I'm keeping my faith na manalo. And of course, maging safe lahat ng athlete. And magawa namin 'yung performance na gusto namin," he added.
Yulo said there toughest competitors are from China, Japan, South Korea, where there may be fellow Olympians and champions competing for their countries.
Given the high-level competition, Yulo is tempering expectations while ensuring they will give their best for the Philippines.
"For team po, I think it's gonna be really challenging. Sa individuals, it's gonna be a challenge also, but there's a chance. There's a chance that we can. Sa floor, of course. Malaki din 'yung chance," he said.
The 2026 Asiad will also be special for Yulo, as he is set to compete again with his younger brother Eldrew, who will be making his debut.
Joining the Yulo brothers in the men's artistic gymnastics team are SEA Games gold medalist Miguel Besana, SEA Games bronze medalist Justine Ace De Leon, and Fil-Am gymnast Zachary Nunez.
Paris Olympian Levi Jung-Ruivivar is returning to the Philippine women's artistic gymnastics team alongside Kylee Kvamme, Chiara Andrew, Haylee Garcia and Lauren Supnet.
The Asian Games are set for September 19 to October 4 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
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