Philippines’ Carlos Edriel Yulo competes in the vault event of the artistic gymnastics men’s qualification during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre in Tokyo on July 24, 2021. (Photo by Loic VENANCE / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines — Carlos Yulo is tempering his expectations ahead of the artistic gymnastics vault final of the Tokyo Olympics on August 2.
After all, the Filipino world champion was shocked to have qualified in the event in the first place.
“Nagulat nga po ako,” Yulo said. “Hindi ko po alam na nakapasok ako.” (I was surprised. I didn’t know that I made it.)
Yulo entered the top eight in vault after tallying 14.712 in the qualification. It marked the first time he qualified in vault in any major tournament.
His performance in the vault atoned for his shortcomings in the floor exercise, his favorite event, where was expected to land the country’s first-ever Olympic gold.
Fumbling a landing early in his routine, he was visibly upset after scoring just 13.566 in floor.
Yulo, though, can still salvage a podium finish—if not a gold medal—in the vault.
Asked about his medal chances, Yulo isn’t keeping his hopes up but that’s not to say he won’t make the top three either.
“Malabo po. Marami pong magaling,” he admitted. (It’s bleak. There are a lot of great competitors.)
“Kaya pa pong itaas yan (It can still be improved),” Yulo said of his 14.712 in the qualifying while also adding that he will need to register a score of at least a 15 to medal in vault.