PARIS Olympics’ double-gold medallist Carlos Yulo will face big changes and challenges as he prepares for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
This year, adjustments will be implemented in new FIG code of points, which is used to determine to the scores of gymnasts in the next Olympic cycle from 2025 to 2028.
Coach Aldrin Castaneda said this after the 24-year-old Yulo resumed training with the rest of the national men’s team in the first week of January.
“Nagbago iyung code of points. Kailangan ay aralin iyung bago,” said Castaneda during a break in training after Yulo was hailed as Athlete of the Year during the annual Philippine Sportswriters Association Awards Night at the Manila Hotel.
The code of points is a rulebook that defines the scoring system for each level of competition in gymnastics.
The scoring system was overhauled in 2006 and last used in the 2024 Paris meet, with 10 difficulty ratings, or elements to be judged and evaluated.
This time, for the coming Olympic cycle, coaches and athletes are dealing with a reduction of skills that will be observed by judges from 10 to eight.
According to the code of points, every non-vault event has three element groups, in addition to the dismount.
Castaneda said that this will lead to lower scores overall, with specific rules of each apparatus.
This also means that gymnasts under his care need to have creatively constructed routines to ensure an athlete’s eight best skills count.
“Nag-iba na sa Olympic cycle na ito. Instead of 10, 8 na ang kukunin mo,” added Castaneda.
Yulo’s teammates include John Ivan Cruz, Juancho Miguel Besana, Jan Timbang, Justine Ace de Leon and Jhon Romeo Santillan. Their sessions are done under the watchful eyes of Castaneda, who has allowed Carlos’ younger brother Eldrew to join the sessions.
Castaneda is preparing the 16-year-old Eldrew, who is still in the national junior squad, for his transition to the men’s squad next year.
Camps in Malaysia, Japan and Korea are being scheduled for the Olympian Yulo as he gets ready for international meets next month.