By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Carlos Yulo launches his bid for a return trip to the Olympics when he competes in the 2023 FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Antwerp, Belgium starting on Saturday, Sept. 30.
But he would be without Munehiro Kugimiya – the Japanese coach who shaped him for years to become a two-time world champion – after Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP) President Cynthia Carrion confirmed the mentor-student duo already parted ways.
“Coach Mune is no longer coach of Carlos,” Carrion said prior to the team’s departure for Antwerp last Sept. 24.
Carrion refused to divulge details about the separation, although sources said it was a personal decision on Yulo’s part. The gymnastics chief, however, clarified that Kugimiya is still with GAP in charge of its grassroots program.
Aldrin Castañeda currently coaches Yulo at the worlds, while Carrion said they have already secured a new Japanese mentor for the Olympian who will start in January.
Despite these developments outside the competition, Carrion is optimistic Yulo can secure a berth to the 2024 Paris Games.
Qualifications are scheduled on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 1, while men’s individual all-around final set on Oct. 5. Apparatus final for floor exercise, pommel horse and rings are scheduled on Oct. 7, while vault, parallel bars and horizontal bar finals will be on Oct. 8.
The Top 24 all-around gymnasts and Top 8 for each apparatus will qualify to the finals.
Eight Olympic slots are at stake in the all-around, while the top gymnast from each apparatus will also gain Paris berths.
Yulo skipped the ongoing 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China for the worlds, which is critical in his Olympic campaign.
Also campaigning in the worlds are Juancho Miguel Besana, Aleah Finnegan and Kylee Kvamme.
