Carlos Yulo with his Japanese coach Munehiro Kugimiya. MUNEHIRO KUGIYAMA FACEBOOK
MANILA, Philippines–Carlos Yulo’s Japanese mentor took responsbility for the Olympic bet’s ghastly performance in the floor exercise—the Filipino’s pet event—in Tokyo.
“If you want to blame [someone], please [direct it] to his coach,” Munehiro Kugimiya wrote on Facebook.
“If you want to say ’waste’ please say [it] to his coach—he is the person who has [responsible for] what he did. The athlete is always trying (his) best,” the post read.
Kugimiya’s plea comes on the heels of Yulo’s disappointing finish in the men’s floor exercise, the same event where he was crowned the world’s finest back in 2019.
It also comes at a time when Yulo—billed as the country’s “Golden Boy”—is bracing to salvage what’s left of his Summer Games campaign.
The 21-year-old can still shoot for a podium finish—if not a gold meal—in the vault final on August 2.
Which explains why Kugimiya is asking for understanding: “He is the one feels most mabigat himself (sic).”
Kugimiya has been in collaboration with Yulo since 2013. Together, they were able to rack up multiple medals in international competitions, counting that gilded run in the World Championships in Stuttgart, Germany.
To finish his heartfelt note, Kugimiya whipped out an assurance.
“I promise, this experience [will] make him stronger than [how he is] now.”