With Carlos Yulo’s incredible back-to-back wins, he just doubled the Philippines’ medal count in its century-long Olympic history! At the 2024 Paris Olympics, this 24-year-old gymnast didn’t just snag one coveted gold medal; he took home two! That makes him the first male athlete from the Philippines to achieve this amazing milestone. He wowed everyone by winning gold in the men’s floor event with a score of 15.000, and then, just a day later, he did it again in the men’s vault event with a score of 15.116 points. But you know how it goes—success often comes with its own set of challenges, and Yulo’s journey has had its share of ups and downs.

Carlos Yulo’s rise to fame has been influenced by challenges within his family dynamics and the demands of competing in the Olympic Games while navigating uncertainties along the way—leading to contemplation about whether he finds contentment in his accomplishments. Recently, he revealed his thoughts on this when a reporter from the Manila Times asked him, “If you could talk to your younger self, what would you tell him?”

Yulo’s response was truly priceless: “We did it. We pushed through. I’m grateful to God because he gave me the opportunity to challenge myself. It’s all worth it. I didn’t give up. I’m happy to practice my sport. I really enjoyed my time in Paris and my victory. I’m really happy because I’ve overcome it all. I’m really grateful.” With this, he hopes for an even better future and success.

Carlos Yulo is an athlete who doesn’t dwell on accomplishments; instead, he sets his sights on the upcoming Olympic Games in Los Angeles four years down the road with hopes of securing a medal in the individual all-around event and defending his gold medals in floor exercise and vault. He emphasizes, “But there’s always more to it; it’s not all about the medals; for me, it’s all about experience.”

After the Olympics, when Yulo returned to the Philippines, he was embraced with overwhelming support and love. “I’m just really grateful for everyone noticing the hardships we’ve been through and celebrating the results I’ve achieved,” he expressed. He understands how important his achievements are for Filipino athletes. He feels a sense of pride in knowing he has motivated them. But after his success at the Olympics, a piece of disturbing information emerged!

Carlos Yulo confronting personal struggles amid Olympic fame

Back in August, following Carlos Yulo’s triumphant Olympic win, he found himself embroiled in a public feud with his mother, Angelica Poquiz Yulo, regarding the management of his finances. Yulo alleged that his mother made unauthorized withdrawals from his bank accounts, which contained funds he earned from gymnastics competitions. He claimed she failed to inform him about a payment he received from a 2022 competition, misrepresenting the actual amount. Additionally, Yulo expressed concerns over his mother’s disapproval of his girlfriend, Chloe San Jose, criticizing her appearance and actions.

In response, Yulo’s mother held a press conference where she apologized for her previous statements. She explained that she transferred money to her personal account to safeguard it for her son’s future. Furthermore, she attributed her comments to the pressure of rapid questioning from the media, which led her to say things she did not intend. In light of the situation, Yulo revealed that he had forgiven his mother long ago and prayed for her safety. Even with all his success, Carlos Yulo is still working through the ups and downs of fame and family, showing us that every win has its challenges.