“I’m really grateful to that man and the things he did for me,” said Carlos Yulo regarding his former coach, Munehiro Kugimiya. But last October, Yulo made the tough call to step back from his bond with the beloved gymnastics coach. Why? Well, he’s staying vague on that, only hinting that he ‘outgrew his relationship’ with his former coach and he had to choose his “peace of mind.” It seems like a major shift, leading many to wonder if Yulo’s words hint at the rigorous training regime as a possible reason for his departure.

While Yulo has stayed quiet on the specifics, he remains appreciative of everything he learned from Kugimiya during their seven-year journey in Japan. In that duration, he claimed the world artistic gymnastics championship title two times (in the floor exercise in 2019 and in the vault in 2021). In 2018, just after joining the Japanese camp, he came close to another world championship title. But he ended up snagging the bronze in the floor exercise. Furthermore, in the Tokyo Olympics, the Filipino gymnast almost pulled off the unthinkable—winning an Olympic medal in men’s gymnastics. But his fate turned him away.

In the Japanese capital, Carlos Yulo left the men’s vault final, clinching fourth place. However, the defeat came as a learning lesson for the mentor-mentee duo and they vowed to come back stronger. Three years later, Yulo claimed double gold medals at the Paris Olympics and entered history. Nonetheless, Kugimiya wasn’t with him. But did his absence in the post decrease his contribution to upgrading Carlos Yulo’s skills? According to the coach, it did not. 

Recently, the 39-year-old coach had the chance to train Carlos’s siblings, Karl Eldrew and Elaiza Andriel, in his Japanese facility. The two teenage gymnasts are now being considered as potential candidates for the LA Olympics. So mentoring them feels like an emotional roller-coaster for the coach, who had once shared the same thing with Carlos back in 2016. However, in his conversation with the Daily Tribune, the veteran coach explained the reason the Japanese facility would be the best option for the budding gymnasts. 

In the interaction, he said, “In this environment, we hope that both athletes can train well without any worries.” Notably, in his early years, Carlos Yulo spent a sizeable chunk of time in the Tokushukai gym, molding his gymnastics talent. So, the coach’s comment can give an insight into the upbringing of Carlos’s early career that went on hassle-free. And the best part is that Yulo has never failed to admit this part of his life. 

Officially, in 2016, Carlos Yulo landed in Japan for his gymnastics training. The joint help from the Japan Olympic Association and the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines sent him to the country of the Rising Sun. But Kugimiya’s company came to him as the soul saver, helping him to defy barriers like cultural and linguistic differences and embrace modern gymnastics.

After all, the first time the Japanese coach saw him in Manila, Carlos was yet to enter his teenage years. Therefore, the environment that came with Kugimiya in 2016 had always been full of trust for Carlos. That cherishing continues. 

Carlos Yulo and his coach remember the early days 

After the separation last year from his coach, Carlos Yulo decided to move to the Philippines, shifting his training base to the region. But that came with its own price. He had to experience another separation as his assistant coach, Tomoharu Sano, refused to move to his country with him. Result? After visiting a few countries to train with legendary gymnasts, he tried to settle in the Philippines.

On the brink of the Paris Olympics, such a decision could have landed him in a dark tunnel of failure. But Yulo continued to fight with the constraints. Later, because of GAP’s support, he joined with Aldrin Castañeda as the mentee. And the rest, as they say, is history. But did that dark phase make him go berserk against his previous camp? 

No, absolutely not. Rather, after his double-gold feat at the Paris Olympics, Carlos Yulo shared in an exclusive with Rappler, “He [Munehiro Kugimaya] supported my dreams, believed in me, and provided for me so I can reach the stage where I am now.” As for Kugimiya? He was there in Paris, watching his former protégé hit new heights and bring home gold.

But here’s the twist: Kugimiya doesn’t want the spotlight on himself for Yulo’s success. Instead, he’s got a vision for Carlos that goes way beyond gymnastics. “I hope that Carlos will grow into a person of character who will support future Filipino children and build an equal sports society,” he shared. So, the ball is in Calos’s court now—but will he take on the challenge laid out by his former coach? What do you think?