MANILA, Philippines -- Philippine gymnastics have never ceased to amaze the country.
After delivering a pair of Olympic medals in Paris this year courtesy of Carlos Yulo, the Gymnastics of the Philippines (GAP) delivered another piece of good news as it has won the bid to host the 2025 Junior World Artistic Gymnastics Championships.
“In July 12 to 21, we will have the Junior World Championships here in the Philippines with 93 countries participating,” said GAP president Cynthia Carrion on Saturday.
While the official venue hasn’t been determined yet, Carrion said there are high hopes the country could carve out another golden performance from another Yulo —Carlos' younger brother Karl Eldrew.
“Hopefully, Eldrew Yulo will win the gold and make the Philippines proud again,” she said.
Interestingly, another major international event will be staged next year in Southeast Asian -- the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships set in October in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Already, the country is looking forward to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where it is eyeing to replicate, if not eclipse, its two-gold performance in Paris courtesy of Caloy Yulo’s magnificence.
Carrion is also hoping there will be two Yulo’s competing in LA.
“That’s our prayers, to have both of them qualify in the next Olympics,” she said.
Carrion said it will be a busy year for Yulo as there will be the World Championship, World Cup, Southeast Asian Games and Asian Championships apart from training camps in the United States, Spain, Korea, Japan, Australia and the United Kingdom.
“GAP will continue our journey to get more gold medals for our country. This year will be full of activities and events that’s why our financial support should be solid,” she said.