Helping Carlos Yulo Make History, Gymnast’s Second Mother Highlights Former Coach’s Impact on His Family

The president of the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines, Cynthia Carrion, recognized Carlos Yulo’s talent long before anyone else. However, there came a point when the Olympian needed to train with the best to achieve his Olympic dreams. That’s when the youngest traveled to Japan to train under coach Munehiro Kugimiya. Now, after playing an invaluable role in the 24-year-old attaining his historic Olympic gold, Carrion and Kugimiya have once again stepped up for the Yulo family.

In a conversation with the Daily Tribune, Cynthia Carrion explained that Yulo’s siblings, Karl Eldrew and Elaiza are currently in Japan. However, the Olympic gold medalist’s siblings are in Japan for a very specific reason. Elaiza and Karl Eldrew have visited the country to learn from none other than their elder sibling’s former coach, Kugimiya. According to Carrion, they’ve been training since last Friday.

“Coach Mune (Kugimiya) is right there helping them. They will only be there for 10 days,” the GAP President told the Daily Tribune. While this is Eliza’s first time, this isn’t Karl Eldrew’s first rodeo in Japan. The talented gymnast has followed in Carlos Yulo’s footsteps and is already proving himself on the international stage. Eldrew won two gold medals on the international stage last year.

His junior men’s floor exercise gold came during the Pacific Rim Gymnastics Championship, followed by another gold in vault at the AGU Men’s Artistic Gymnastics Junior Asian Championships, held in May 2024. The Filipino gymnastics prodigy also trained with SEA gold medalist Juancho Miguel Besana in Japan last year. So Carrion is once again ready to leave no stone unturned for Yulo’s siblings.

“Eldrew could improve much better. This is to support their growth and be the best junior champion.” The IOC trophy winner added. And while Carrion helping Carlos Yulo’s siblings may seem natural, it holds immense significance. After all, the former gymnast had to make immense sacrifices to secure funds for the double Olympic gold medalist.

“In the making of a champion, we needed a lot of funding, and I started to search for funds. Unfortunately, I did not realize that I would become a professional beggar.” she confessed to Rappler. Born into a middle-class family, Yulo couldn’t bear the cost of pursuing his gymnastics dream in Japan. And it was only possible because of Carrion’s tireless efforts. However, the Olymina reached Japan, it was Munehiro Kugimiya who molded him into a champion. In fact, Kugimiya continues to show grace by accepting Yulo’s siblings.

Coach Kugimiya is a selfless act despite strained relations with Carlos Yulo

The first Filipino gymnast to earn Olympic gold started his gymnastics journey in Japan at the Tokushikai Gymnastics Club. While the young gymnast was confident in his skills, training in Japan humbled him. “That’s when another level of difficulty started in my life.” Yulo revealed during his conversation with Toni Gonzaga. However, the difficult training was a blessing in disguise.

“I can say that it was one of the things that made me strong,” added Carlos Yulo. The scholarship student at Teikyo Senior High School and University developed his world championship-winning skills under Coach Kugimiya. In his seven years under the gymnastics coach, the Filipino gymnast earned 10 golds at the Asian Championships, 9 at the SEA Games, and two more at Worlds.

The 24-year-old even came excruciatingly close to earning his first Olympic gold at Tokyo 2020. However, last year, their relationship suffered when the 24-year-old parted ways with his longtime coach. “I feel like I’ve outgrown our relationship,” Yulo said in an interview. Yet, despite their strained relations, Coach Kugimiya has taken his former pupil’s siblings under his wing.

However, it’s also important to note that this comes after Carlos Yulo’s recent trip to Japan. During his visit, the first person to earn two Olympic golds for the Philippines in gymnastics, visited his alma mater and the gymnastics club that helped him hone his talent. Now it remains to be seen if Karl Eldrew and Elaiza also move to Japan when the time is right.