Carlos Yulo, Filipino Olympians honored in sports scribes' awards night to remember
MANILA, Philippines — “Ang panalo ko ay panalo nating lahat,” stressed Paris Olympic Games double gold medalist Carlos Yulo in accepting the prestigious Athlete of the Year honor during the glittering San Miguel Corporation-Philippine Sportswriters Association (SMC-PSA) Awards Night at the Centennial Hall of the historic Manila Hotel on Monday.
With some of his fellow Paris Olympians and a bevy of former athletes who represented the country in the quadrennial global sportsfest from several generations in attendance, Yulo paid tribute to those who made his remarkable golden double in the romantic French capital possible.
Banking on his precocious talent and skill, he was the undisputed star of the Philippine Olympic contingent in romping off with the floor exercise and vault golds, punctuating the country’s centennial participation in the Olympics held in the City of Lights.
Yulo was presented with the highest honor from the country’s oldest media organization on stage by Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham “Bambol" Tolentino, Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Richard Bachmann, Sen. Bong Go, Rep. Mikee Romero and PSA President Nelson Beltran, sports editor of The STAR.
Among those the pint-sized sports hero cited in the star-studded gathering co-presented by ArenaPlus with Cignal and MediaQuest, was Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP) President Cynthia Carrion, recipient of the National Sports Association (NSA) of the Year award.
“Sa pagtitiwala at unang naniniwala sa kakayahan ko,” said Yulo of the gymnastics federation head.
He also mentioned his girlfriend, referring to her as “ang napaka-maganda kong partner, Chloe (San Jose). Maraming maraming salamat sa pag-aalaga sa aking mental health,” and coach Aldrin Castaneda “sa paghubog sa araw-araw, sa disiplina at pag-suporta sa mga gusto ko at pagiging atleta. Love you po.”
“Nagpapasalamat din ako sa Panginoon sa lahat ng blessings and challenges na binigay niya sa buhay ko. Sa lahat ng paghihirap ko, lahat ng pagod, sobrang worth it talaga na nakamit ko ang tagumpay kasama ang mga mahal ko sa buhay,” noted the 24-year-old athlete, who began his career at the tender age of eight.
Yulo acknowledged his fellow Paris Olympians for serving as his motivation.
“Alam ko ang ating pinagdaanan at saludo ako sa achievements natin,” he said as Summer Games boxing bronze medalists Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas were present in the festive occasion fully supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, PLDT/Smart, and Senator Bong Go, with backing from the PBA, PVL, 1-Pacman Party List, Rain or Shine, Akari and AcroCity.
Petecio and Villegas were the top choices for the President’s Award.
Yulo likewise showed his appreciation to his legions of fans, appealing to them to rally behind him once more when he again aims for glory for flag and country in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
On behalf of the other Olympians present from batches 1964 to 2024 who were handed out with Special Awards, basketball great and former Senator Freddie Webb said Yulo’s unforgettable experience at the Summer Games was shared by them all.
“Ako’y kinasal ng 1963, naging Olympian ako ng 1972. Alam ninyo ang naramdaman ko? Parang kinasal ulit ako. Sapagka’t masarap maging Olympian, maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat,” said the 82-year-old cage icon in his heartfelt message as keynote speaker for the night.
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