Carlos Yulo during the floor exercise event of gymnastics in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Olympic-bound Carlos Yulo got much-needed assistance in his preparation for the Tokyo Olympics after receiving n additional funding of P800,000 from the MVP Sports Foundation.
The Gymnastics Association of the Philippines, the country’s governing body for the sport, received the donation that will maintain Yulo’s rent in Japan, academic schooling, and pay for his support team that consists of a physiotherapist, nutritionist, and sports psychologist.
“The MVPSF wants to make sure that our athletes still get the best training possible even as we face the current COVID pandemic,” said MVPSF President Al Panlilio in a statement.
“Even with his busy schedule, our Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan makes it a point to check on our athletes and teams from time to time just to make sure all is well. We at MVPSF follow MVP’s example and that’s why we take great pride in taking care of our athletes.”
Yulo, 20, became a sensation when he bagged the historic gold medal in 2019 World Championships in Stuttgart for the Floor Exercise.
The pint-sized Yulo, who is training in Japan with Munehiro Kugimiya since 2016, then went on a two-gold, five-silver finish in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games in the Philippines.
Panlilio said that the monetary donation wasn’t just for additional funding but as a way for the MVPSF to put Yulo’s mind at ease.
“His sole focus should be on his quest to win an Olympic medal and we’ll do our best to take care of the rest,” said Panlilio.
The 4-foot-11 Yulo is one of the country’s strongest contenders for a medal in Tokyo together with Rio Olympics silver medallist Hidilyn Diaz, Asian Games gold medal winner Margielyn Didal, amateur boxing World champion Irish Magno, Olympic qualifying gold medalist Eumir Marcial, and Universiade champion EJ Obiena.