Capillan, Yulo lead Phl 14-medal haul in Hong Kong invitational

MANILA, Philippines - SEA Games bet Reyland Capillan and Youth Olympian Carlos Yulo captured two gold medals in their respective categories as they led the Philippines’ 14-medal haul in the Hong Kong Gymnastics International Invitational Championships in Shan Sports Center in Shatin, Hong Kong recently.

Capillan, an out of school youth from Rizal Province, bested his fancied rivals, including Incheon Asian Games gold medalist Wai Hung Shek, to rule the seniors individual vault event.

The 21-year old Capillan and the top-rated Shek actually finished tied with 14.199 points, but the Filipino took the gold via the countback after a point was deducted from the Hong Kong star for a fault.

“I was so blessed and so happy with my performance. I did my best and followed our strategy. I hope to further boost my confidence for the Singapore Sea Games,” said Capillan.

Unlike in vault event, Capillan pulled off an emphatic win in the floor exercise, scoring 15.33 points with Malaysian Phanying Lo and Muhammad Abdul Azim finishing way behind with 12.850 and 12.700 points, respectively.

The 15-year-old Yulo, one of six Filipino participants in the 2013 Youth Games in China, stamped his class and dominated the pummel horse with 11.666 points and high bar events. 

Yulo beat Singaporean Yong Sean Yeo (11.533) and teammate Jan Timbalang (11.500) in pummel horse then nipped Thai Thikumporn Surithorntka in the countback to top the high bar. Both scored 12.633 points with Kazakshtan’s Ting Chia Chang settling for the bronze with 11.766. 

Yulo also captured four silver medals in the junior competition of vault, steel rings, floor exercise and parallel bar and went on to finish runner-up in the individual all-around category.

Other medalists were Rafael Ablaza (bronze-vault and floor); Jan Gwynn (bronze-pommel horse); Tina Onofre (silver-parallel bars); Chloe Shaine Gatlabayan (silver-vault and bronze-floor exercise).

Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP) president Cynthia Carrion lauded team’s impressive showing, which underscored the long-term program she had firmed up with the Romanian and Japanese coaches four years ago.