There are only a few of them in the world, superhuman athletes, who push the boundaries of human potential, freaks of nature that are true marvels of physical prowess – Michael Jordan, Michael Phelps, Mike Tyson. In the Philippines, they come once in a generation – Manny Pacquiao, Paeng Nepomuceno.
Carlos “Caloy” Yulo
Greatness came in a 4’11” bundle of power and precision as gymnast Caloy clinched two gold medals in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games in two consecutive, momentous days of August, a feat unheard of and seemed impossible in the past.
But there he was, performing superhuman routines that boggled the mind and left judges and spectators alike at the Bercy Arena in Paris with mouths agape.
A vault into history
After being crowned the previous day as floor exercise champion, the 24-year-old Caloy put the exclamation point to his intoxicating Paris campaign with yet another perfect routine, this time in the vault, to claim his second gold and put sports-loving Filipinos back home in a state of delirium.
Already a history maker as the Philippines’ first male Olympic champion a day before and a first in his sport, the gymnastics’ phenom capped off his extraordinary stint with yet another historic gold as he averaged a stellar 15.116 points to secure the top spot in the competition.
Caloy’s exceptional performance, highlighted by a 15.433-point score on his first vault, solidified his status as the Philippines’ newest sporting icon, joining the likes of the country’s first Olympic champion Hidilyn Diaz and eight-division world titlist Pacquiao in the pantheon of all-time greats.
“I was surprised myself, I just kind of did it,” said Caloy. “I went out there and just poured everything I got.”
Artur Davtyan of Armenia, the Tokyo 2020 silver medallist, remained the runner-up with his 14.966, while Great Britain’s Harry Hepworth, just 20 years old in his first Olympiad, bagged the bronze on 14.949.
The win marked a remarkable redemption story for Caloy, who finished fourth in the same event at the Tokyo games.
Man on a mission
Caloy’s first gold in the Olympics was even more impressive. And emotional.
In a breathtaking display of athleticism and grace, Caloy capped his faultless show in the floor exercise by charging toward the center of the mat, launching himself skyward, his body twisting and turning.
A controlled descent followed, as he landed with impeccable precision, his form as perfect as the execution.
After his flawless display that got him a 6.600 from difficulty and 8.400 from execution for a stunning 15.000 score, Caloy pumped both his fists, saluted the fans and touched his heart as a gesture of thanks to an adoring crowd that included his girlfriend Chloe Anjeleigh San Jose.
Caloy knew in his heart he did something magical. For himself, for his country and for the love of his life.
“Mahaaaaaal!” screamed the pretty lady clad in elegant black several feet away from the center mat, the lights bouncing off her silky, porcelain skin and blonde hair, her cheers drowned by the chorus of applause and salutations from all over the arena.
Caloy may have never heard her cheers, but he knew she was there in the stands, proud of his achievement as the Philippines’ first ever gymnastics’ gold medalist in the Olympic Games, where the country has never won in 97 years, until weightlifter Diaz delivered one in the pandemic-hit Tokyo games in 2021.
Windfall of incentives
As a double-gold medalist in the Olympics, Caloy’s windfall of bonuses has breached a staggering P100 million as more incentives, gifts, and perks poured his way, the biggest of which were his P20 million for his two gold medals under Republic Act 10699, P20 million from the Office of the President, P14 million from the House of Representatives, P10 million from business magnate Manny V. Pangilinan and P10 million from the International Container Terminal Services Inc.
He also received a fully furnished three-bedroom unit in McKinley Hill worth P32 million from Megaworld, a house and lot in Nasugbu, Batangas, worth P6 million from Century Properties, a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado worth P4.8 million from Toyota Motors Philippines and a two-story house on a 500-square meter lot in Tagaytay City from the Philippine Olympic Committee, to name a few. He also was offered a lifetime supply of various food products, from Pizza Hut to Mang Inasal, and Cabalen to Waffle Time and Buddy’s.
Lovers in Paris
In 2020, Caloy and Chloe began a love story written across continents. During the pandemic, their connection deepened through countless video calls, heartfelt messages, and shared moments on social media. Their virtual world became a reality in 2022, when Chloe, all the way from Australia, surprised Caloy in Hanoi for the Southeast Asian Games. From that moment on, Chloe has been his constant supporter, a beacon of love at every major tournament.
King of the floor
Bent on burying the heartbreak of his Tokyo Olympic campaign, Caloy put on a show for the ages in Paris with a performance that dazzled the entire arena and uplifted the spirits of his weary nation as he captured the gold medal in the men’s floor exercise.
The Filipino gymnast, who was eliminated from final contention in the Tokyo Olympics three years ago, where everyone expected him to win, delivered a flawless routine this time, culminating in a perfectly executed three-and-a-half twist dismount that left no question as to who the true king of the floor was.
When Caloy’s score flashed at 15.000 as the finale’s third performer, Chloe let out a scream, as if to announce to the world – that’s my man. Caloy would set the pace from there, until the score of the final gymnast on the mat, Great Britain’s Luke Whitehouse flashed side by side with Caloy’s — 15.000 to 14.466.
Gold!
“This is overwhelming, I could hardly believe this has happened,” said Caloy. “I thank the Lord God for this. He has watched over me all these years, all throughout my career as a gymnast.”
Several feet away, Chloe, engulfed with emotion, was already shaking, tears rolling down her cheeks. Word spread fast that she was Caloy’s significant other, and so a small crowd of fans stood and clapped around her, further drowning her in tears.
“Hindi ko na po alam ang sasabihin ko, nanginginig pa din ako, thank you God and thank you po sa family ko na super supportive sa amin ni Caloy,” said Chloe.
Love is a gold medal
As the Philippine national anthem was played at the Paris Olympics for the first time, Caloy stood at the center of the universe, his hand a steady presence on his chest. But his heart belonged to that particular woman in the crowd. In this moment of national pride, their spirits were one, a testament to the enduring power of their affection towards each other.
With love, even superhumans are humans, after all.