Paris 2024: Yulo's former mentor recalls his beginnings as a gymnast | ABS-CBN
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Paris 2024: Yulo's former mentor recalls his beginnings as a gymnast
Paris 2024: Yulo's former mentor recalls his beginnings as a gymnast
A younger Carlos Yulo. Photo courtesy of Ezra Canlas
A younger Carlos Yulo. Photo courtesy of Ezra CanlasMANILA -- Elementary school teacher Ezra Canlas tells the story of an eight-year-old boy who loves to do cartwheels and somersaults in playgrounds.
MANILA -- Elementary school teacher Ezra Canlas tells the story of an eight-year-old boy who loves to do cartwheels and somersaults in playgrounds.
He's a typical kid who loves to play but studies hard when it comes to academics.
He's a typical kid who loves to play but studies hard when it comes to academics.
That boy is Carlos Edriel Yulo -- the Philippines' first two-time Olympic gold medalist.
That boy is Carlos Edriel Yulo -- the Philippines' first two-time Olympic gold medalist.
Teacher Ezra says Carlos' house is near Aurora A. Quezon Elementary School in Malate, Manila, so he just walks to school.
Teacher Ezra says Carlos' house is near Aurora A. Quezon Elementary School in Malate, Manila, so he just walks to school.
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"Pagka galing nya sa school uiwan kasi namin is 12 uuwi yan sa kanila, kakain. Pagkatapos kumain po n'yan yung typical na bata, 12:30 pupunta na yan sa computer shop, naglalaro. Pagkatapos n'ya mag-laro, alam niya schedule niya, routine niya. Tatawagin na niya sina Ivan o Ivan lika na, training na tayo. One o'clock po na sila sa gym sa Rizal, lakad lang po mga yan," she recalls.
"Pagka galing nya sa school uiwan kasi namin is 12 uuwi yan sa kanila, kakain. Pagkatapos kumain po n'yan yung typical na bata, 12:30 pupunta na yan sa computer shop, naglalaro. Pagkatapos n'ya mag-laro, alam niya schedule niya, routine niya. Tatawagin na niya sina Ivan o Ivan lika na, training na tayo. One o'clock po na sila sa gym sa Rizal, lakad lang po mga yan," she recalls.
As Carlos' teacher-coach, she is tasked with ensuring that he balances his studies and athletic pursuits.
As Carlos' teacher-coach, she is tasked with ensuring that he balances his studies and athletic pursuits.
Teacher Ezra closely monitored Carlos' performance during his campaign in Paris. She said watching him made her teary-eyed, as she was reminded of the kid who was once under her care.
Teacher Ezra closely monitored Carlos' performance during his campaign in Paris. She said watching him made her teary-eyed, as she was reminded of the kid who was once under her care.
"Double touch na ganun ginagawa na po nya nung elementary pa lang," she said.
"Double touch na ganun ginagawa na po nya nung elementary pa lang," she said.
According to the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP), Yulo's victory brought awareness of gymnastics to Filipinos.
According to the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP), Yulo's victory brought awareness of gymnastics to Filipinos.
"Finally gymnastics is getting the recognition it deserves, kasi for so long we've been trying to advocate for the Filipinos to look into sports outside the usual basketball, volleyball," said Bea Eusuya, Operations Manager of the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines.
"Finally gymnastics is getting the recognition it deserves, kasi for so long we've been trying to advocate for the Filipinos to look into sports outside the usual basketball, volleyball," said Bea Eusuya, Operations Manager of the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines.
At the GAP gym, the emerging gymnasts are training hard. They hope that with a few more tumbles and somersaults, they may achieve the success that Yulo has achieved.
At the GAP gym, the emerging gymnasts are training hard. They hope that with a few more tumbles and somersaults, they may achieve the success that Yulo has achieved.
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