Karl Eldrew Yulo, fellow Pinoy bets go for glory in artistic gymnastics worlds

Karl Eldrew Yulo rules the still rings of the boys’ FIG Juniors 14-17 category at the GAP Gymnastic Center in Intramuros, Manila.

STAR / Jun Mendoza

MANILA, Philippines — The road to greatness starts for the Philippines’ Karl Eldrew Yulo as he and his merry team of Hilario Palles III, Anthony Palles and CJ Pernia get to taste a piece of the action in Thursday’s start of the 3rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics Junior World Championships at the Newport World Resorts.

The country will now get to see firsthand how the 17-year-old Yulo has improved since training under the guidance of coach Munehiro Kugimiya, the same coach who molded the former’s elder brother in Paris Olympics double gold medalist Carlos, in Japan early this year.

Now Yulo, gets a chance to make a name for himself.

“I think Edrew will win gold in the floor exercise,” said Gymnastics Association of the Philippines chief Cynthia Carrion. “He’s also good in the rings as well as in vault and parallel bars.”

Originally, Yulo and Elisabeth Antone were supposed to be the country’s only representatives in the five-day event but a last-minute decision by the FIG gave the country the chance to field teams in both men’s and women’s divisions.

Sabina Tayag, Maxine Bondoc and Jellian Bantilan will join Antone in the women’s side.

“We’re thankful we were given a chance to compete in the team event. This is a good experience for our gymnasts,” said Carrion.

While the men open hostilities on Thursday, the women will plunge into battle on Friday.

The all-around finals are set Saturday, while the individual apparatus finals are scheduled Sunday and Monday.

Philippine Sports Commission chair Pato Gregorio and FIG president Morinari Watanabe, meanwhile, said the event will be good for the young gymnasts who are shooting for the stars.

“Our goal is to produce potential winners and this competition is a great way for them,” said Gregorio during yesterday’s media launch at Newport.

“The gold medalists in the 2028 LA Olympics could be one of those competing here in Manila,” said Watanabe.