Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo at the GAP Gymnastics Training Center in Intramuros, Manila on Monday, August 24, 2026. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News
NAGOYA — Despite a string of logistical hiccups that threw their preparations into disarray, members of the Philippine gymnastics team are optimistic as they kick off their campaign in the 2026 Asian Games on Monday.
Two-time Olympic champion Carlos Yulo is seeking an elusive continental crown in Aichi-Nagoya, where he is joined by younger brother Eldrew in the squad.
READ: Carlos Yulo eyes redemption in Aichi-Nagoya, set on elusive Asian Games gold
However, their arrival in Japan was not smooth.
"Information on detailed training and competition schedules was spread across delegations with logistical delays," said team official Sofia Almonte. "Further, accommodation reassignments and late availability resulted in late check-ins for multiple teams."
"The podium training sessions were delayed due to late arrival of the medical team, affecting the overall preparation focus," she added.
Nonetheless, the logistical woes have not dampened the mood of the Filipino athletes.
"I think the team handled everything so well and of course they are still in good spirits," Almonte said.
Yulo is the centerpiece of the Philippine team, as he looks to add an Asian Games medal to a trophy cabinet that already includes titles from the Olympics, World Championships, World Cup, Asian Championships and Southeast Asian Games.
His first opportunity comes Monday in the men's all-around at Rainbow Hall of the Nagoya City General Gymnasium against a world-class field that includes Olympic champions Oka Shinnosuke and Daiki Hashimoto of Japan and China's Zhang Boheng.
Oka took over the Olympic all-around gold medal from 2021 Tokyo Games gold medalist Hashimoto in Paris last year. Zhang is the reigning all-around champion of the Asian Games after winning in Hangzhou three years ago. He followed that up by ruling the Asian Championships last June.
For Yulo, the all-around is just the beginning. He is also entered in the floor exercise and vault, two events where he feels extra pressure as the defending Olympic champion.
His campaign in the floor exercise could face another showdown with Japan's Shoma Tsukiyama. Yulo and Tsukiyama placed first and second at the recent Asian Championships, with Yulo's younger brother Eldrew taking bronze.
South Korea's Kim Jaeho and Iran's Mahdi Olfati, who bagged silver and bronze, respectively, at the Asian Championships in the vault, are expected to give Yulo a run for his money.
The Asian Games also takes on added significance for Yulo, who has unfinished business from his first appearance in 2018.
At just 18 years old, Yulo arrived in Jakarta-Palembang as one of the Philippines' brightest medal prospects after winning World Cup silver medals in vault and floor exercise.
Errors on landings cost him a podium finish, however, and he finished fourth on vault and seventh on floor after leading his specialty in the qualification round.
"I want to make up for this," said Yulo. "I want to test my ability (now) as well."
Yulo was unable to compete at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou as it coincided with the World Championships which were qualifiers for the Paris Olympics.
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