Faces of Faith: Carlos Yulo Thanks God for Olympic Wins

by Clyde Ericson Nolasco

Carlos Edriel “Caloy” Yulo just made history as the first Filipino male to win Gold at the Olympics. And he won Gold TWICE.

Caloy ranked first for two gymnastics categories: floor exercise finals (August 3) and vault (August 4). 

photos from Hannah Mckay / REUTERS

While he is the second Filipino to bring home an Olympic gold medal after Hidilyn Diaz in 2021, he is also the first male to bring home the Gold and the first Filipino to bring home two Gold medals! 

Beginnings

Caloy comes from a simple family from Manila, the second of four siblings. While playing at a local playground, his grandfather saw his potential and brought him to the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP) at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum to watch training and eventually join competitions. 

He was Palarong Pambansa champion at the age of 12 and earned a scholarship from the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) to train in Japan when he was 16. 

With hard work, he then became the country’s finest gymnast: winning bronze in Doha, Qatar in  2018 and then winning his first gold in Stuttgart, Germany in 2019. 

photos from FIG

Fall Down Seven Times, Stand Up Eight 

While he qualified for the Tokyo Olympics 2021, he failed to make it to the finals as he fell on his first tumbling pass. 

In the 2023 World Championship in Antwerp, Belgium, he suffered a great fall, scoring 0.000 points. 

But Caloy persevered. He pushed through with his training in spite of all his struggles. He even earned his studies in literature from Teikyo University in Japan. 

With regained confidence, Caloy flew to Paris and is now making history as he brings two gold medals back to the Philippines in just one Olympic edition. 

Thanks Be To God 

During his first win, Caloy was seen doing the sign of the cross after hearing the confirmation that he won his first gold. In an interview, he said: he is “very thankful and grateful sa Panginoon—binigyan niya ako ng lakas ng loob, pinrotektahan niya ako and guided po ako”. (Very thankful and grateful to God. He gave me strength, protected me and guided me.)

In another interview, he repeated, “Thank you Lord talaga... pinrotektahan Niya ako. Na-save ko yon and maganda yung mga landings ko nung mga sumunod. Hindi yun yung perfect competition pero ito yung perfect moment para sa akin." (Thank you, Lord. He protected and saved me. My following landings are good. It was not a perfect competition but it was the perfect timing for me.)

Truly, to God be the glory!