By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
A more confident Carlos Yulo and Eumir Marcial are expected to shine brighter this time when they see action in the 2024 Paris Olympics next month.
Yulo, a two-time world champion in men’s artistic gymnastics, said he feels more self-assured in his return trip to the sports’ grandest stage compared to his maiden Olympic appearance in the 2020 Tokyo edition.
“Sa Tokyo, hindi ako confident sa ginagawa ko. Kahit na-practice ko na siya nang marami, parang nahihiya ako sa galaw ko,” said Yulo during Thursday’s press conference hosted by ArenaPlus in Taguig City.
“Pero this time, confident ako kung ano ako, mas confident akong mag-perform at ipakita yung galaw na pina-practice ko sa training,” he added.
Three years ago, Yulo came close to a podium finish when he landed fourth in vault. He failed to qualify in the finals in the remaining apparatus, including his pet event – the floor exercise.
This time, Yulo is optimistic he can do better in Paris as he banks on his vast experiences – good and bad – in his quest for a podium finish.
“Ita-try ko yung best ko para makakuha ng gold medal,” the 24-year-old Manila native said, adding that he has the best chances in floor and vault while also looking forward in the all-around and parallel bars.
Like Yulo, Marcial is also leaning on his previous appearance in the Tokyo Games to clinch the gold medal this time.
“One hundred percent ready na ako,” said Marcial in a live video appearance from Las Vegas, Nevada where he currently trains.
“No excuses na pagdating sa Paris Olympics. Kumpiyansa ako sa ensayo at experience na mga natutunan ko, lalo na dito sa training ko sa US. Iba-ibang knowledge ang natutunan ko,” he added.
Marcial, who qualified to Paris after finishing silver in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, seeks to eclipse his previous finish in Tokyo where he bagged the bronze medal in the men’s middleweight (75kg).
He moved to a higher weight class at 80kg in Paris, but will be facing almost similar fighters he met in Tokyo.
The two athletes are expected to join the other Filipino qualifiers in a month-long training in Metz, France starting next week.
