PHILIPPINE GOLDEN BOY Carlos Yulo showed even with wrist issues, he’s a force of nature.
Mr. Yulo, who hurt his wrists in training, put himself in position for a smashing followup to his Paris Olympics golden double as he twisted and piked his way to the finals of his stronghold events — the vault and floor exercises — at the 53rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Jakarta.
The 25-year-old superstar averaged 14.750 for a gorgeous piked Dragulescu and handspring front 2.5 twist to lead the march of finalists in vault while he ranked second in the qualifications for floor with 14.566.
Arur Davtyan, the Armenian the Filipino dynamo beat for the vault gold in the French capital, is out to challenge for the world crown after qualifying with the second best score of 14.566.
Mr. Yulo’s British friend, Olympiad floor bronze medalist Jake Jarman, looms as a major threat in the world meet after topping the qualifications with 14.70.
“First of all, I want to thank God for my performance. I am also just grateful that I was safe (from any mishap). I am just really grateful that I got to compete, show my performance and come back here in a good state,” said Mr. Yulo after the qualification round at Indonesia Arena.
Prior to striking gold in Paris, Mr. Yulo previously reigned as world titlist in floor in 2019 and vault in 2021. On Friday, he gets his chance to regain the floor mint and do the same in the vault the next day.
Mr. Yulo is forced to compete in just his two pet events as he’s been dealing with a wrist injury that started two months before the world meet.
“While I wasn’t able to do the all-around, I am still proud that I am here and still aiming for the best,” he said.
“We’re proud that Mr. Carlos (Yulo) was able to perform well and make it to the finals of both events. This was our aim so, hopefully, he will duplicate his golden performances in Paris,” Gymnastics Association of the Philippines President Cynthia Carrion said. “We pray that our Filipino fans back home will pray and rally behind him once again in both finals.” — Olmin Leyba