Carlos Yulo’s father gets emotional over son’s Olympic win

"Masaya, mangiyak-ngiyak."

These were the words of Mark Andrew Yulo, father of Carlos Yulo, after his son clinched his first gold medal at the Paris Olympics on Saturday, August 3.

"Kabado na masaya kasi nakuha niya 'yung best routine niya. Konti lang 'yung hops sa floor niya. Ang ganda kagabi, ang ganda ng laban niya. Stick landing lagi, parang may pandikit lang' yung paa," he said in an interview with ABS-CBN News.

The Yulo patriarch added that he believes that the Tokyo 2020 results pushed Carlos further to clinch a medal in Paris.

"Siguro 'yung pagkatalo niya nung 2021 sa Tokyo, siguro iyon 'yung nagpursigi sa kanya ngayon sa 2024 Olympics na manalo," he said.

Mark Andrew also expressed his gratitude to the former coaches of Carlos for helping his son become the gymnast that he is today.

"Malaki utang na loob namin kay Coach Mune. Salamat po Coach Mune. Hindi mapupunta si Caloy diyan kung wala si Coach Mune. Pati si Coach [Ricardo] Otero, iyon 'yung coach niya nung bata pa si Caloy sa Palaro," he stated.

Mark Andrew hopes that Carlos will be able to compete at the next Olympics with his siblings who are also doing competitive gymnastics.

"Pangarap ni Caloy magkasama sila sa 2028 Olympics magkakapatid. 'Yun ang pangarap ni Caloy, pangarap nilang tatlo. [Napaguusapan] tuwing magttraining sila, nagbobonding yung magkapatid," he relayed.

Carlos' grandmother Angelita Poquiz also became emotional after her grandson became an Olympic champion.

"Masaya tapos medyo naiyak siyempre. Siguro sa sobrang tuwa sa nangyari. Kasi hindi namin akalain na makuha niya yung gold na yan eh. Congrats nakuha mo yung gusto mo pero sana huwag ka magbago," she said.

READ: Carlos Yulo wins second gold medal at Paris Olympics in vault finals

Carlos clinched two gold medals at the Paris Olympics, a first for the Philippines, in the floor exercise finals on Saturday and vault finals on Sunday, August 4.

"God is really great. I am so blessed by Him. I am well-protected and guided po sobrang thankful and grateful sa Kanya na hindi niya kami pinabayaan lahat," Carlos remarked after becoming a two-time Olympic champion.