(Via PLDT Home) DOUBLE gold medalist Carlos Yulo and first-time podium finisher Aira Villegas will proudly carry the Philippine flag during the closing ceremonies of the Paris Olympics on Sunday.
On Saturday, the Philippine Olympic Committee announced that Yulo and Villegas were selected as the country’s flag bearers, recognizing their outstanding performances in the Games.
At 24 years old, Yulo had a stellar showing at the quadrennial event, winning gold in both the floor exercises and the vault in the men’s artistic gymnastics competitions.
With his historic wins, Yulo joins weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz as one of the Philippines’ only Olympic gold medalists, a feat achieved in the country’s century-long participation in the Games. His victories also propelled Team Philippines to its best-ever finish, securing 29th place overall in the Olympiad.
Before his double gold triumph in Paris, Yulo had already established himself as a world-class athlete. He won the floor exercise title at the 2019 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Stuttgart, Germany, and claimed the vault gold at the 2021 World Championships in Kitakyushu, Japan.
Meanwhile, Aira Villegas brought honor to her hometown of Tacloban by bagging a bronze medal in the 50-kg division of the women’s boxing competition.
Joining Yulo and Villegas at the closing rites in Stade de France are fellow Filipino athletes Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam, Hergie Bacyadan and Eumir Marcial from boxing and coaches Mitch Martinez, Reynaldo Galido, Donald Abnettt, Elmer Pamisa and Ronald Chavez, Louise Gopez, Bethel Solano, tracksters John Ceniza and Lauren Hoffman, weightlifters Elreen Ando and Venessa Sarno, officials Christoper Bureros, Antonio Agustin and Marcus Jarwin Manalo.
