Filipino gymnast Carlos Yulo has achieved a historic milestone by winning his second Olympic gold medal in two days, making him only the second athlete from his country to secure the Games’ top prize. The 24-year-old has been showered with rewards for his remarkable victories in the men’s floor exercise and vault events, including a three-bedroom condo, thousands of dollars, and a lifetime supply of free ramen.
Yulo’s impressive performances have also catapulted him to social media stardom. “Another gold for the Philippines! History is made again! Ang galing galing mo!” [You are incredible!] wrote a user on X (formerly Twitter).
On Sunday, Yulo scored an average of 15.116 on the vault, surpassing Armenia’s Artur Davtyan (14.966) and Britain’s Harry Hepworth (14.949). He celebrated his score with exuberant gestures and embraces with fellow athletes. Despite his success, Yulo had entered the competition with modest expectations, admitting he was merely hoping to perform well.
« It felt like a bonus for me. It’s crazy because I couldn’t sleep last night; I was so excited from winning the gold medal the day before, » Yulo said.
Just a day prior, Yulo won gold in the men’s floor exercise with a score of 15 points, narrowly defeating Israel’s Artem Dolgopyat by 0.034 points. Dolgopyat, the defending Olympic champion and world title holder, had been a strong competitor.
Yulo’s double gold has become a hot topic on X, with many Filipinos celebrating the achievement. “It took 100 years for us to hear Lupang Hinirang [the Philippines’ national anthem] two nights in a row while the world is watching. Thank you so much for the pride and historic moment!” wrote another user.
The Philippines made its Olympic debut in 1924, and it was only in Tokyo three years ago that weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz earned the country’s first Olympic gold medal.
hilippine celebrities and public figures, including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, have joined in congratulating Carlos Yulo for his historic achievements.
« No words can express how proud we are of you, Caloy. You have achieved GOLD for the Philippines not once, but twice! Filipinos all over the world stood united, cheering and rooting for you, » President Marcos wrote on Facebook.
In recognition of his accomplishments, the Philippine government will award Yulo 10 million Philippine pesos (approximately $173,300 or £135,400), a standard reward for Olympic gold medalists. Additionally, a real estate firm has committed to providing him with a fully furnished three-bedroom unit at McKinley Hill, the largest condominium development in metropolitan Manila.
The House of Representatives will further honor Yulo with an extra 6 million pesos in cash incentives. Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has lauded Yulo as a “sports hero” and a “national treasure.”
The celebration extends beyond monetary rewards. Medical clinics and universities are offering their own tributes: a gastroenterologist has provided Yulo with lifetime free consultations and colonoscopies, while the University of Mindanao has promised him free university credits. Restaurant chains are also getting in on the action, offering lifetime supplies of ramen, mac and cheese, and grilled chicken.
In Manila, Yulo’s birthplace, preparations are underway for a grand « hero’s welcome. » The city’s mayor, Honey Lacuna, has promised a celebration that includes cash incentives, awards, and symbols of the city’s eternal gratitude. “The grandest welcome will greet him and all our Paris Olympians. When we meet him, we will present Carlos Yulo cash incentives, awards, and symbols of the eternal gratitude of the proud capital city of the Philippines,” Lacuna said.
