SINCE the second week of January, double-gold Olympic medalist Carlos Yulo has been training with his younger brother Karl Eldrew, who is being considered to be part of the national men’s artistic gymnastics team next year.
The 16-year-old Eldrew felt excited, privileged and honored to join his kuya “Caloy” in sessions done with older teammates at the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines training center in Intramuros, Manila.
“Natutuwa ako at nagagalak ako sa kanya. Wini-wish ko sana ay maabot niya kung ano gusto niya maabot sa buhay, at siyempre, sa pagiging atleta,” said the elder Carlos, 24, after he received the PSA Athlete of the Year award on Monday evening at the Manila Hotel.
The younger Yulo was also feted during the gathering, with the Tony Siddayao award, months after winning a gold medal in the vault event of the Asian Junior championships, to go with two in the Pacific Rim meet.
Carlos had always been in touch with his younger brother since he returned from training in Japan last June, staying tuned with his family’s activities through Eldrew and their sister Isa in the coming months, while he was in the Paris Olympics and when he got back to Manila as well.
All this time it was only their parents and older members of their immediate family who were out of touch with Carlos and his activities ever since he won his two gold medals at the Paris Olympics, after a misunderstanding took place between them
The Yulos received their awards without their parents present, but with Gymnastics Association of the Philippines president Cynthia Carrion and secretary general Rowena Bautista around with coach Castaneda, and Carlos’ girlfriend Chloe San Jose
Eldrew is relishing his first sessions with Carlos since the latter returned from Japan last June to prepare for his coming stint in the Paris Olympics, where the elder Yulo eventually won two gold medals.
“Maraming lessons pa ako na male-learn this time. I’m excited to win the next competitions. I’m expected to learn from them. Hindi naman ako natatakot magkamali. Ang goal naman ay maka-pasok sa Olympics,” added Eldrew.
Carlos has returned to serious training this month as he is set to go into a series of training camps in Malaysia, Japan and Korea to prepare him for his series of competitions this year.