CARLOS Yulo has reflected on his difficult journey after winning the Philippines’ first gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games, saying he has no regrets about his performance.
Yulo delivered the Philippines’ first gold medal of the 2026 Asian Games by ruling the men’s floor exercise final with 14.666 points Thursday at Rainbow Hall of the Nagoya General Gymnasium.
The two-time Olympic gold medalist edged Kazakhstan’s Milad Karimi, who scored 14.600, while Japan’s Shoma Tsukiyama took bronze with 14.566.
For Yulo, the gold was the reward for simply putting everything he had into his performance.
“Pinakamaganda kong performance na ibinigay today. Today po ’yung pag-uusapan,” said Carlos.
Yulo said he walked away from the routine without wishing he had done anything differently.
“Walang regrets sa ginawa ko today. Wala po akong iniwanang thoughts na sana ginawa ko ’to, sana ginawa ko ’yon. Ayun po talaga ’yung lumabas. And I’m just really grateful po sa result na nakuha po natin,” he added
Yulo also explained that execution played a major role in separating him from the field, particularly after seeing Japan’s performance and its relatively strict judging.
He believed his work in the air and his landing position ultimately gave him the edge.
“’Yung nakapagbigay po sa akin ng way para makuha ’yung result na ’yon is really the execution po sa air, and ’yung landing po na magandang position ng landing,” Carlos continued.
The victory also gave the Philippine gymnastics its first-ever Asian Games medal, adding another historic milestone to Yulo’s already decorated career.
Yet instead of taking full credit, Yulo framed the achievement as a blessing shared with everyone who supported him through difficult times.
“I’m just really overwhelmed po. And I’m just really happy sa mga naging experience ko,” he said.
He admitted the journey to Nagoya was far from easy.
“’Yung mga pagdating ko dito, bago mapunta dito, sobrang challenging niya, and masasabi kong hindi siya madali talaga,” Carlos said.
And when the medal finally came, Yulo dedicated it to the Filipinos who continue to support him and those going through their own struggles.
“Receiving this blessing po from God, it’s really an honor po, and I take it to my heart really. Para sa inyo po ’tong lahat,” said Carlos.
The job, however, is not finished.
Yulo will return to competition Friday for the men’s vault and parallel bars finals, where he hopes to produce an even more artistic performance while keeping his focus on enjoying the competition.
After the long wait for Asian Games gold, Yulo can finally say he has done it—with no regrets, only gratitude. (Jesus Nathaniel Valdez)
