World champion gymnast Carlos Edriel Yulo received a certificate of commendation from the Embassy of Japan yesterday during formal rites at Ambassador Koji Haneda’s residence at Forbes Park in Makati.
The certificate was given “in recognition of your outstanding contributions to enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and the Philippines,” the commendation said just days after the pint-sized Filipino athlete took top honors in the World Gymnastics Championships in Stuttgart, Germany.
“We are very happy to see Yulo with his gold medal and this is another win between our two countries, a Japanese coach contributing in winning in the world stage,” said Ambassador Koji Haneda, who welcomed Yulo, his Japanese coach Munehiro Kugimiya and gymnastics head Cynthia Carrion.
Since arriving in the country last Tuesday, Yulo has made the rounds of various private and government offices with President Rodrigo Duterte handing him a check worth P1 million and the Philippine Sports Commission and tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan each awarding him P1 million.
Before paying a courtesy call to the Japanese embassy, Yulo likewise paid homage to Manila mayor Isko Moreno, who gave him P500,000. Davao businessman Dennis Uy likewise pledged P500,000.
Yulo, who will lead the country’s gold medal hopes in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, is poised to win seven gold medals when the 30th Southeast Asian Games is held here from Nov. 30-Dec. 11.
To get ready for the 2019 SEAG, Yulo will stay n Japan to train under Kugimiya, who Yulo lavished with praise.
“I won’t be here (standing in front of you) had it not been for him.”
Yulo was a surprise winner during the floor exercise finals and the Manila-born athlete told a small gathering of mediamen that his dream of making it to the Olympic was what drove him to succeed.
Said Yulo: “I kept the Olympics in my mind (and asked myself) ‘how do I get there? Is it possible to get there?”
With the win, part of Yulo’s dream has been achieved and Carrion admits feeling ecstatic over the sudden turn of events.
“Before I couldn’t quite get sponsorships for him,” said Carrion, recalling a time when those she approached doubted whether Yulo could excel in gymnastics.
Nowadays, they are lining up and eager to lend a helping hand. (Nick Giongco)
