Camille Naredo

The participants and coaches of the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines' training camp at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex. Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News

The participants and coaches of the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines' training camp at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex

Article (news)

Gymnastics

Dyan Castillejo

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1741014938725030325_gymnasts 2.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="The participants and coaches of the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines&#x27; training camp at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex. Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News"/>The participants and coaches of the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines&#x27; training camp at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex. Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News</div>MANILA -- Several young Filipino gymnasts are already taking steps to pursue their dreams of becoming Olympians like double gold medalist Carlos Yulo.Young gymnasts aged nine to 12 years old took part in a special training camp held by the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP) at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, where they got to learn from Japanese coaches Akiko Akena and Munehiro Kugimiya -- Yulo&#x27;s former mentor.This initiative is part of GAP&#x27;s grassroots program aimed at developing world-class Filipino gymnasts. Many young athletes from the provinces traveled to Manila for this rare opportunity, while Filipino coaches also participated to enhance their skills and knowledge.&quot;I want them to have a goal and dream first, and to make it come true, they have to work hard,&quot; said Akena, Executive Officer and Chairman of the Committee for Training Coaches of the Japan Gymnastics Association. &quot;But I also want them to have fun with it!&quot;The training camp combined classroom instruction with practical gym training, emphasizing artistic components.According to GAP President Cynthia Carrion, there has been a significant rise in the interest in gymnastics after Yulo&#x27;s historic feat in the Paris Olympics last year.There, Yulo became the first Filipino athlete to win two gold medals in a single Olympics when he ruled both the vault and floor exercise in men&#x27;s artistic gymnastics.&quot;There are about three or four clubs that are just starting out, even in Davao,&quot; Carrion said.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2025/1/28/cynthia-carrion-gap-seeking-p78-m-budget-for-gymnasts-camps-welfare-1548">READ: Cynthia Carrion, GAP seeking P78-M budget for gymnasts&#x27; camps, welfare</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2025/1/28/carlos-yulo-set-for-adjustments-ahead-of-busy-2025-im-expecting-to-learn-1900">READ: Carlos Yulo set for &#x27;adjustments&#x27; ahead of busy 2025</a></div>Coach Micah Fenina Bernate, from the Women&#x27;s Artistic Gymnastics Grassroots and Developmental Program, believes Yulo&#x27;s success has inspired young gymnasts.&quot;Honestly, since Carlos won a gold medal for the Philippines, I&#x27;ve encountered so many students who are super motivated. Even if they&#x27;re in pain, they push through because they want to be like Kuya Caloy,&quot; Bernate said.During the GAP training camp, many of the up-and-coming gymnasts expressed their dreams of one day representing the Philippines at the highest stage, as Yulo has done.&quot;When I was younger, I already knew how to do splits, so my parents sent me to gymnastics,&quot; said Abigail Morrison, a 9-year-old gymnast from Davao. &quot;I want to win a medal like Carlos Yulo.&quot;&quot;My goal is to compete in the Olympics,&quot; said GAP scholar Eyeteen Joyce Santos.To achieve their dreams, young gymnasts train rigorously. Even at just 9-12 years old, many already practice for 3-4 hours a day. Some are even homeschooled to accommodate their demanding training schedules.&quot;In GAP Development, my daughter trains five hours a day, Monday to Saturday,&quot; shared Dianne Catalan, mother of young gymnast Francine. &quot;She goes to school, then trains, then sleeps, and does it all over again.&quot;Jan Acosta, father of Jade, highlighted the sport&#x27;s benefits beyond competition, saying, &quot;It builds their character and discipline.&quot;Beyond athlete development, GAP is also investing in its coaching staff by sending local coaches abroad to further hone their skills.Excitement is also building as the Philippines prepares to host the Junior World Artistic Gymnastics Championships.&quot;[A total of] 93 countries will participate, both men and women,&quot; said Carrion. &quot;I want Filipinos to see that a gymnast like Eldrew Yulo can win that gold. He promised me he would. You know how Eldrew is—&#x27;I&#x27;ll win it, Ma&#x27;am, don&#x27;t worry.&#x27;&quot;The championships were originally set for August 2025 but may be moved to November, according to Carrion.&quot;I&#x27;m willing because it will give us more time, but FIG (International Gymnastics Federation) has to agree,&quot; she said.Meanwhile, Carlos Yulo is currently training in the Philippines as he prepares to compete in the Southeast Asian Games at the end of the year. His ultimate goal is to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, with the next big step being the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.Winning the Asian Games is crucial, as it will qualify him for the World Cup, a key stepping stone to the Olympics.

Several young Filipino gymnasts are already taking steps to pursue their dreams of becoming Olympians like double gold medalist Carlos Yulo.

Several young Filipino gymnasts are already taking steps to pursue their dreams of becoming Olympians like double gold medalist Carlos Yulo.

Inspired by Carlos Yulo, young Pinoy gymnasts pursue Olympic dreams

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Inspired by Carlos Yulo, young Pinoy gymnasts pursue Olympic dreams

Dyan Castillejo,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 03, 2025 11:38 PM PHT

Read More:

gymnastics

Gymnastics Association of the Philippines

Akiko Akena

Munehiro Kugimiya

Carlos Yulo

Cynthia Carrion

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