Cheered on by his elder brother Carlos and his family, Karl Eldrew Yulo got his wish as he made it to the finals of four events in the ongoing 3rd Artistic Gymnastics Junior World Championships on Thursday.
The 16-year old Yulo, who never saw action in a world event before, first landed second in the floor exercises for his highest finish during the daylong rotations held at the Marriott Hotel Grand Ballroom.
“Natupad ang isa kong wish But, my job is not finished yet,” said Yulo in qualifying to the finals of preferred events in floot exercise and the vault.
Yulo then then landed fifth in the vault event, sixth in the horizontal bar, and a 15th place performance in the all-around.
In taking spot in the floor exercise, Yulo came up with a total score of 14.233 from an execution of 8.733 and a difficulty of 5.400.
“Gagalingan ko pa at ibibigay kong lahat,” added Yulo in qualifying at events that his elder brother Carlos has excelled in and won medals in during the Paris Olympics.
It was Arsenii Dukhno from Russia, who is competing as an Individual Neutral Athlete, who took first place with a total of 14.500.
Noam Berkovich of Israel was in third with 14.00.
“Sinabi kanina sa coaches ko, kapag nag-qualify ako sa finals, I will give it my more than 100%,” added Yulo, who was congratulated by coach Munehiro Kugimiya at the end of his routines.
Yulo had an average of 13.750 from two jumps in the vault, off scores of 14.2 and 13.3.
In horizontal bars, Yulo earned with a total of 13.700, with an execution of 8.900 and a difficulty of 5.100.
In making the cut for the all-around, Yulo’s 15th place came with a total score of 78.332.
Team Philippines, which included Hilario Palles III, Anthony Palles and CJ Pernia, missed the cut to the team finals at 23rd place.
China, led by Yang Lanbin, took the team honors with 163.095 points, with Taiki Kakutani-powered Japan in second with 162.429 points.
Team USA is third with 163.329 points, with Danila Leykin showing the way.
The young Yulo, is bringing in his vast experience from winning medals at the 2023 and 2024 Junior Asian Championships, and the 2024 Pacific Rim meet.
It was was at the Pacific Rim where he got his most medals, so far, with two gold in the floor exercise and vault, and two silver medals in the all-around, pommel horse, and rings.
