Choosing Love Over “Shattered” Career, Carlos Yulo’s Coach Promised a Second Chance Before Paris Olympics

Philippines’ Carlos Yulo will be thanking his lucky stars, as his decision to leave his coach for his girlfriend, Chloe San Jose, worked out in the end.

After Yulo’s unceremonious split with his former coach Munehiro Kugimiya, the young star went around all over the world trying to salvage his derailed career. Without a coach, the Filipino gymnast found it hard to keep up with the top-level competition. But he was resilient and found peace in Manila, staying with his girlfriend and his friends. Subsequently, the gymnast reunited with his childhood coach, Allen Aldrin Castañeda, an instrumental part of his Olympic dream.

While Yulo’s determination and love life undoubtedly played a role in his resurgence, his journey back to the top was significantly influenced by Castañeda. In their initial partnership between 2014 and 2015, the duo won one gold medal at the 2014 ASEAN School Games and one bronze at the International Junior Competition. He also honed his skills under the tutelage of coaches, Ricardo Otero, Joel Panugalinog, and Castañeda.

Castañeda’s unwavering support and expertise were instrumental in Yulo’s comeback. “Coach Mune made him strong,” Panugalinog acknowledged; but it was Castañeda who filled the lack. And, boy, did it pay off! Carlos Yulo just won an Olympic gold last night in Paris. Competing in the men’s floor routine, Yulo scored a scintillating 15.000 to clinch his maiden and become the first male gymnast from the Philippines to win an Olympic gold.

To add to his joy further, in the ongoing men’s vault finals, Yulo is looking all set to clinch his second gold of the games as he is sitting pretty atop with a score of 15.116. This is a significant lead, as the second- and third-placed A. Davtyan and H. Hepworth are lagging behind with 14.966 and 14.949 points, respectively.

But do you know why Carlos Yulo dumped Munehiro Kugimiya—the man behind his countless wins?

Carlos Yulo chose love over his coach to become a 2x Olympic gold medalist

As per reports, Yulo couldn’t agree with his former coach, Munehiro Kugimiya’s daily training schedules and wanted more time for his personal life. This was further confirmed by an anonymous GAP source, who pointed out, “This girlfriend became a distraction that drove a wedge between coach Mune (Kugimiya’s nickname) and Caloy.” The duo split, resulting what would be a “shattering” dip in the young athlete’s career.

At the 2023 Sportspaleis, Yulo finished last place in 59th with a meagre score of 67.765, after a disastrous outing in the individual all-around, prompting the Japanese coach to extend a helping hand yet again. But Carlos Yulo did not go back.

Later, he revealed the exact situation that unfolded with Mune,“I tried talking to him (Munehiro), to compromise when it comes to gymnastics—like, ‘Okay, I’ll follow you. I’ll do everything that you want me to do.’ I will really do everything. But I also told him, ‘Coach, outside gymnastics, bigay ’nyo na lang po sa akin ‘to (please give me my personal time).’ That’s like my only time to take a break. I was in Japan, I didn’t really have that many friends there.”

For the uninitiated, Carlos and Chloe—then a student in Australia—met online when the latter slid into her future boyfriend’s DMs in 2020. And the rest, as they say, is history. Four months and countless hurdles later, the gymnast stands face to face with unparalleled world domination.

Reflecting on the controversy regarding his girlfriend, Yulo told Rappler, “My relationship, it’s out of gymnastics… but if it’s in any way connected, I now have a better well-being. Whenever I perform, I have a better mindset. Even if I fall, win or lose, I’m grateful… My partner taught me to grow.” Yulo stated that he told Kugimiya that he was ready to follow his orders, but out of his training, Jose was his only break during the strenuous phase.

And well, the couple will be as proud as ever. Taking on the challenge of participating in the Olympics without a coach, the Filipino gymnast has passed with flying colors. And as the old saying goes, Carlos Yulo has once again proved that “everything is fair in love and war”.

As Carlos Yulo stands tall on the Olympic podium with two gold medals—one in floor exercise and another in vault—the collective efforts of his Cebuano mentors echo through the applause. Their dedication and expertise have not only produced a world-class gymnast, but have also solidified Cebu’s reputation as a breeding ground for athletic excellence.