By NIKOLE JAVIER
Carlos “Caloy” Yulo is looking to gain more confidence ahead of his redemption bid in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The road to the biggest sporting stage will not be a breeze, but Yulo refused to put himself on further pressure.
“Ayoko isipin lahat na marami sila, ‘yong competition. Basta pag andoon na ako iisipin ko lang kung ano ‘yong mga ginawa kong preparasyon. Gusto ko mas maging confident next year kaysa sa ngayong taon na to,” said Yulo.
The 22-year-old Yulo, who had an impressive year in the regional, Asian and world level, was named GAP-KG MVP for 2022.
But another year dedicated to his Olympic preparation awaits Yulo as he intends to make amends after a disappointing show in the Tokyo Games where he was tipped to prevail in his pet event – floor exercise.
Yulo is set to compete in the World Cup series beginning February next year in Cottbus, Germany followed by the competition in Doha, Qatar and Baku, Azerbaijan in March and lastly, in Cairo, Egypt in April.
A three gold medal-finish would allow Yulo to qualify for the Olympics as early as the first quarter of the year.
For Yulo, every single competition he is headed to next year is akin to that of the Olympic atmosphere, and quite literally will also be his road to redemption.
“Preparation still on the process pa. Medyo may oras pa naman. Pero sobrang bilis lang ng panahon eh. Baka hindi mo namalayan Olympics na pala. ‘Yong preparation grabe kong pinapahalagahan. Araw-araw na practice kasi ‘yon ‘yong magiging hagdan para makatungtong ako sa ganoong stage,” Yulo added.
During the 51st FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Liverpool, England last month, Yulo failed to defend his title in vault and settled for a silver.
There was nothing to be ashamed of that as he also took the bronze in parallel bars.
But it’s not lost on Yulo that it’s only gonna get tougher from here and the lessons he’s taking from his most recent international campaign will prove to be instrumental to his hectic schedule next year.
“Ang dami kong nakitang pwedeng i-improve sa floor, sa vault, may mga apparatuses or skills ako na nakita na pwede pang ma-improve ng sobra. And may mga goals rin ako na na-reach at meron ring hindi. Pero overall hindi naman masama [‘yong naging performance ko]. Tina-try ko naman ‘yong best ko, ginagawa ko ‘yong best ko talaga. Para sa akin, walang talo doon. Kasi ‘yong experience na nakuha ko, ‘yon ‘yong pinakamalaking premyo na nakuha ko noong World Championships,” he concluded.
