Yulo has returned from to training after months of rest and recreation since his successful stint in the Olympics last August. He now shifts his focus to a busy 2025 calendar that will start with the Asian Championships.
“Kababalik lang po three weeks ago,” said Yulo in an ambush interview after the Philippine Sportswriters Association Awards where he was given the 2024 Athlete of the Year plum.
PHOTO: Jerome AscañoYulo admitted feeling rejuvenated from the long break, and jokingly said the first few days of training was painful to his body.
“Sobrang sakit po sa katawan,” said Yulo in jest. “Pero push lang po ng push, makakabalik naman po anytime. Mabagal lang para hindi ma-aksidente sa practice.”
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Yulo has ample time to prepare as the Asian Championships is scheduled in June in Jecheon, Korea. He will be the defending in four events after he captured the all-around, floor exercise, vault, and parallel bars in Tashkent last year.
PHOTO: FIG TwitterAlso in Yulo’s calendar is the World Championships in October in Jakarta, and the Southeast Asian Games in December in Thailand where he is also the reigning champion when he ruled the all-around and parallel bars.
The two-time Olympic champion recognizes the expectations of the Filipino people after his stint in Paris, but Yulo said he is prepared to handle successes and even failures this year.
“Para sa akin, bilang atleta, mahirap maging consistent pero itatry ko po ‘yung best ko na makabalik ko sa stage. Matatalo at matatalo din po ako pero marami din po akong magiging learnings this year, at tatanggapin ko po ‘yun,” said Yulo.
Yulo said it will be an adjustment year for him since there were rule changes to be implemented by the International Gymnastics Federation in 2025.
“Nag-iba din po kasi ‘yung rules and codes so marami din po i-adjust. Isa rin po ako sa maraming nag-aadjust,” said Yulo.