Filipino gymnastics rising star Eldrew Yulo at the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines Gym in Intramuros, Manila, August 24, 2026. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News.MANILA – After making the jump to the senior level of men’s artistic gymnastics earlier this year, rising star Eldrew Yulo is eager to gain valuable experience when he competes at the 20th Asian Games next month.
Since entering the seniors division, the younger Yulo has won floor exercise gold in the FIG World Cup in Antalya, Turkiye last May and bronze in the same event at the Asian Championships last June.
The 18-year-old gymnast is making his debut at the continental showcase alongside his older brother and two-time Olympic gold medalist Carlos.
As he continues to navigate higher level competition, Yulo said his main goal is to soak in the experience, atmosphere and apply the lessons he will learn moving forward.
"Ako naman po super excited and' of course' kinakabahan pa rin po kasi [it's] still my debu. First senior year ko pa rin po so ako po low expectation pa rin po right now pero gagawin ko po 'yung pinaka-best ko para manalo," Yulo told ABS-CBN News on Monday at the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines Gym in Intramuros, Manila.
"Andun pa rin po 'yung mindset na gusto ko pong manalo pero low expectation pa rin po," he added.
Despite having two medals in the senior level so far, the younger Yulo is staying hungry and focused on improving himself both inside and outside of gymnastics.
"Low expectation lang din po talaga ako throughout this year po kasi it's my first senior year. Ang nilo-look forward ko lang po talaga ngayon is 'yung mga lessons na may bibigay sa akin ng mundo or ng competitions or experience ba," he shared.
"Parang, ah ganito pala 'yung feeling ng mga beterano. Ganito pala feeling ng may makalaban kang ganito o ganyan. Malupit sa ganito, sobrang galing sa ganyan," the 18-year-old added.
Yulo said competing in the upcoming 2026 Artistic Gymnastics World Championships will help give him a wider perspective on what it's like to be an elite level gymnast.
"Parang nagkakaroon ako ng fuel na mag-go up para makasabay rin sa kanila. Kasi sobra nilang nakaka-inspire po. I mean, yeah, gusto ko po na maging contender din katulad nila na sobrang taas ng chance na makapag-medal," he explained.
"Ayun na po 'yung magiging biggest turning point ko as an athlete kasi doon po ako mas makakita ng mga sobrang gagaling na Olympian and then ganito pala feeling na makalaro sila. So anong gagawin ko next na move? Anong kailangan kong i-improve, kailangan kong i-upgrade, not just in skills but in mindset din po talaga," Yulo pointed out.
ADVICE FROM KUYA CALOY
Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo and his younger brother, Karl Eldrew Yulo, practice their routines at the GAP Gymnastics Training Center in Intramuros, Manila on Monday, August 24, 2026. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News
The younger Yulo is grateful his brother Carlos helps train him and give him tips on how to improve his skills and techniques.
"Okay naman po kasi nagtutulungan din po kami sa mga bagay na may alam siya. So we share, nagse-share kami ng knowledge about it. I think maganda naman po yung preparation namin and ready na rin po," Eldrew said.
For the two-time Olympic gold medalist, he is helping his brother develop a stronger mindset since the skills and potential are already there.
"So ako wala naman po akong nakikita sa kanya right now na error. I feel like he's alright," Carlos told ABS-CBN News.
"At the same time, mental talaga kami. Ako, mental din ako tinitira before eh. Doon talaga 'yung kahinaan ko eh. Hindi naman pwedeng both malakas ka eh. And talagang wino-work on siya eh. And I feel like si Drew, di siya nakakapag-focus," he shared.
The elder Yulo believes having a strong mentality is one of the keys to success for elite level gymnasts. But he pointed out that Eldrew also has the courage to try new skills, something also important in their sport.
"Ayun lang 'yung siguro 'yung kailangan niya i-work po. Kasi sa, hindi siya matatakutin eh. Hindi din siya, parang hindi niya alam 'yung sense of danger. But, paano po ba? May good point din po kasi 'yun eh, as a gymnast. Kaya niya mag-try ng ilang ulit ng nakakatakot na skills," he said.
"So para sa akin 'yung mental lang talaga. And 'yung focus kapag competition na. And siyempre sa training, kung paano siya sa training, ganun din po sa competition. So ayun lang 'yung kailangan niya po, para sa akin, 'yung nakikita ko," Carlos added.
The two-time Olympic gold medalist believes Eldrew can leap higher and achieve greater things in gymnastics once he works on the mental aspect.
"I know may sarili siyang path and may sarili siyang style. Kapag nakuha niya 'yung mental na sinasabi ko, feeling ko mas mag-grow siya together with his own style, his own path. Mas mag-bloom siya. Ayun lang 'yung nakikita ko po," he said.
Eldrew said he's grateful he gets to experience and compete alongside his kuya Caloy especially in the Asian Games, where he will make his first appearance.
SEA Games gold medalist Miguel Besana, SEA Games bronze medalist Justine Ace De Leon and Fil-Am gymnast and U.S. NCAA standout Zachary Nunez complete the men's artistic gymnastics team.
Over on the women's side are Paris Olympian Levi Jung-Ruivivar, U.S. NCAA standout Kylee Kvamme, Chiara Andrew, Haylee Garcia and Lauren Supnet.
The Asian Games are set for September 19 to October 4 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
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