Tokyo the turning point

MANILA, Philippines — In Tokyo three years ago, a dejected Carlos Yulo had a first-hand feel of the Olympic gold medal that his “Ate” Hidilyn Diaz famously won.

Yulo, reeling from his shocking elimination from the finals of the floor exercise where he was heavily favored, lovingly touched the cherished mint that eluded him in his Olympic debut back then.

Next time, baby.

“Nagkita kami ‘nung gabi na nanalo siya ng gold medal. Pinakita niya sa akin ‘yung gold medal and sabi ko sa sarili ko, ako din next time,” Yulo recalled in an interview on One Sports.

“Maiyak-iyak ako ‘nung sinabi ko ‘yun kasi grabe ‘yung na-experience ko ‘nung Tokyo; sobrang overwhelmed ako and hindi ko alam ano gagawin. Sobrang frustrated ako that time.”

Yulo and Diaz reunited in Paris after the pocket-sized gymnast from Leveriza St. in Malate bounced back strongly with a golden double and more than picked up on what she started.

The 24-year-old champ in floor exercise and vault said he looks up to the revered weightlifting golden girl, who also went through a lot before reaching the summit of the Mount Olympus of sports.

“Ngayon, sobrang worth it lahat talaga ng pagod at paghihirap ko. Grabe ‘yung naging inspiration and motivation ko mula kay Ate Hidilyn. Palagi ko ‘yun dala-dala. Pag nahihirapan ako, pag nagko-compete ako, palagi ko ‘yung iniisip, na ako rin, kaya ko rin,” Yulo said.

Diaz couldn’t hide her pride for the gymnast who joined her in the ultra-exclusive Olympic gold medal club.

“I’m so proud of you,” Diaz told Yulo.