Carlos Yulo with coach Munehiro Kugimiya after his performance during SEA Games gymnastics on December 1, 2019. ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA -- Filipino gymnast Carlos Yulo is planning to reconnect with his former coach, Munehiro Kugimiya, after his triumphant campaign in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Kugimiya coached Yulo from 2016 until 2023, helping develop him into a world-class gymnast. 

Now that he has won two gold medals in the Paris Games, Yulo wants to express his gratitude to "Coach Mune." However, Yulo is also unsure if they will be able to train together again.

"Not sure about that pero I want to say thank you sa help po na binigay nila sa'kin and support," said Yulo, who was coached in Paris by Aldrin Castañeda.

According to Cynthia Carreon, the head of the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP), Yulo will visit Kugimiya in November.

"Early November we will go to Japan to thank Coach Mune and not only Coach Mune, the university and all the officials that are helpful... that they sponsored him, especially the school. It's just a short visit to say thank you and then go back," she said.

Yulo was the only Filipino gymnast to compete in men's artistic gymnastics in the Paris Games; there were three gymnasts in women's artistic gymnastics for the Philippines.

The "Golden Boy" is not discounting the possibility that the Philippines would be able to field a Team Yulo four years from now, during the next Olympics in Los Angeles.

"I'm really hoping po and praying for that na matuloy," Yulo told ABS-CBN News after he was awarded a P32 million condo unit in Mckinley Hill in Taguig.

His younger brother, Karl Eldrew, has already bagged gold medals from different international gymnastics competitions.

Their youngest sister, Elaiza, has started to make a name for herself in the gymnastics community as well, even racking up several gold medals in the 2024 Palarong Pambansa in Cebu.

READ: After Caloy's triumph, younger Yulo siblings navigate high expectations

READ: As Caloy is feted in parade, it's business as usual for Yulo family

The Olympic champion also hopes that more support will be given to Filipino athletes, especially young ones like his siblings, before they compete and way before their podium victory.

"Hindi lang po sa money lang lahat. Kailangan din po ng other support like sa equipment, food, sa mental training, yung mga ganung aspect po sa sports," added Yulo. -- with a report from Kennedy Caacbay, ABS-CBN News

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