Hidilyn Diaz and Carlos Yulo, the Philippines’ only Olympic gold medalists. Yulo joined Diaz in the history books after winning the gold in the Paris Olympics 2024 men’s floor exercise in gymnastics. –HIDILYN DIAZ INSTAGRAM
LIVE UPDATES: Team Philippines at Paris Olympics 2024 August 4
MANILA, Philippines — From one Olympic gold medalist to another.
Team Philippines’ first ever gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo congratulated gymnast and fellow Tokyo Olympian Carlos Yulo after making history in the Paris Olympics 2024 and joining an elite crowd in the country’s sports history.
Diaz, who delivered the country’s first Olympic gold medal three years ago, expressed how proud she is of Yulo after the Filipino gymnast ruled the floor exercise final on Saturday at Bercy Arena in France.
READ: Team Philippines’ Carlos Yulo wins floor exercise gold medal in Paris Olympics
“For you, Caloy, I’m proud of you. Enjoy the fruits of your hard work. Always give back to God and the country, because all our successes are not just for ourselves,” wrote the weightlifting champion in Filipino in an Instagram post, attaching a photo of her and Yulo from their Tokyo stint.
Yulo, who failed to bring home a medal in his Olympic debut in the pandemic-delayed Games, won the country’s first gold medal in Paris and became the maiden Filipino gymnast to rule the Olympics in his second appearance.
Team Philippines’ Carlos Yulo reacts after competing in the artistic gymnastics men’s floor exercise final during the Paris Olympics 2024 at the Bercy Arena in Paris, on August 3, 2024. (Photo by Loic VENANCE / AFP)
Diaz thanked the 24-year-old Yulo for bringing glory to the country and reminded the young gymnast that she is always there for him.
“Thank you for all the good and wonderful things you have done and will continue to do for God and the country!” she said. “Congratulations! Your Ate Haidie is always here for you!”
READ: Gymnast Carlos Yulo gives PH its second Olympic gold
The Philippines’ first two Olympic gold medals broke barriers with Diaz setting Olympic records for the weightlifting women’s 55-kilogram division with a total lift of 224 kg in July 26, 2021.
Three years later, Yulo performed with grace and a near-flawless routine for 15.000 points, giving the competitors a run for their money including the erstwhile defending champion Artem Dolgopyat of Israel, who wound up with silver.
The newly-crowned Olympic champion has been receiving praise from his fellow countrymen and is set to get a major financial windfall that include P10 million from the government and a condo unit worth P24 million from Megaworld.
Yulo is expected to receive more incentives from public and private organizations just like Diaz when she ended the country’s gold medal drought in the Olympics.
More importantly, Yulo has another chance to win another gold in the vault apparatus final on Sunday.