Filipino gymnast Eldrew Yulo competes in the horizontal bar final in men's artistic gymnastics at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, September 25, 2026. POC Media
NAGOYA – At 18 years old, Eldrew Yulo continues to carve out his own path and make a name for himself in the world of men's artistic gymnastics.
Yulo came into the 20th Asian Games with little to no expectations, instead just wanting to get a feel of senior level competition, especially in the continental showcase.
READ: Eldrew Yulo aims to gain more experience in Asian Games debut
In his debut in the 2026 Asian Games, Yulo proved that he is a talent to watch out for, showing that he can stand toe-to-toe with more experienced gymnasts.
The 18-year-old captured bronze in the men's horizontal bar event, landing on the podium in his first Asiad appearance.
"Hindi ko alam kung masasad, matutuwa, mapaproud, may iyak. Sobrang mixed emotions na nararamdaman ko kasi I've been praying to my God that if He wants me to win, He'll give it to me but I would be thankful. Kung hindi niya pa rin ibibigay, thank you pa rin ako kasi lesson pa rin po yun for me," Eldrew told POC Media on Friday.
"Sobrang hindi ko ma-explain yung saya ko. Pero nandito na siya. Nakamit na natin. Paunti-unti, step by the step. Sa success, step by the step nga kung tawagin nila," he said.
READ: Eldrew Yulo claims bronze in horizontal bar final
Before Eldrew copped bronze, his older brother Carlos already won two gold medals for the Philippines in floor exercise and vault.
But it became a three-fold celebration, as Eldrew took home a medal of his own in his Asian Games debut.
"Sobrang saya ako. Sobrang thankful ko sa kanila. Kila ati Chloe. Kila kuya Kaloy. Kila kuya Josh. Kila Ninang. Kila ate, sa mga tao sa bahay. Sobrang saya ko," Eldrew said.
The 18-year-old earlier told ABS-CBN News having his older brother Carlos, Chloe and their support system have helped him have a different perspective on life and gymnastics.
The younger Yulo had a solid support system behind him, as Carlos even ran back inside the competition venue to see the results of the men's horizontal bar final.
Alongside Carlos was his girlfriend Chloe San Jose, their team and the coaching staff — all beaming with pride for Eldrew's achievement.
"Hindi [ko siya napanood] kasi nasa interview po ako kanina. And then naririnig ko si Kuya Josh. Sabi niya, oh nalaglag si Tan. Hindi ko alam kung ma-excite ako. Malulungkot ako para sa kanya. Or matutuwa ako na may chance si Eldrew," Carlos said.
"Nung natapos na yung interview, tumakbo talaga kami kasi kahit hindi ko na nakita yung performance ni Eldrew kasi una po siya. Gusto ko makita yung mga susunod po na mga makakalaban niya. And then last po was Iran yung naabutan ko. And I know na nung nag-routine na yung Iran. Kasi hindi naman ganun din kataas yung difficulty niya. Malinis, but at the same time, hindi ganun kataas yung difficulty niya. Hindi ka niya aabutin. So, ako medyo alam ko na," he explained.
ADVICE FROM KUYA CARLOS
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Brothers Carlos and Eldrew Yulo pose with their medals after the men's artistic gymnastics competition in the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, September 25, 2026. POC Media via Paige Javier Carlos is hopeful that winning his first Asian Games medal will inspire his younger brother even more, noting that Eldrew is still in the "exciting part" of his career.
The elder Yulo said Eldrew needs to go through the highs and lows of being an athlete — something he also endured before his star-making campaign in the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he went home with two gold medals.
Carlos believes Eldrew's time will come if he stays humble, consistent and focused.
READ: Carlos Yulo sees brighter days ahead for Eldrew after Asiad
"Madami pa po talaga tayo may experience sa buhay. Especially sa kanya. Kakasimula niya pa lang din po. Ayoko lang siya mapanghinaan ng loob. [09:17–09:30] Kasi yung mga ganitong bagay, yung mga katulad neto, nakasungkit ka, sobrang sarap sa feeling. And ang saya na ikaw mismo tinatry mo yung best mo," he said.
"Ilang beses ka nagkakamali, ilang beses ka nagtatry. And then finally, dumating yung chance na para sa'yo talaga. So, ayun yung gusto kong pangawakan niya po na huwag siya mawala ng pag-asa, huwag siya matakot magkamali. And kung walang risk, wala talaga yung malaking winning," Carlos added.
The double Olympic gold medalist assures that he will always be by Eldrew's side to guide his younger brother, cheer him on — and even give him tough love, if necessary.
"Para sa akin, we always take a risk. As long as we're safe and healthy, we take that. And as a challenge for ourselves, siguro mas mag-grow tayo kung pagpalagi tayong tinitignan 'yung mas malalaking picture kesa yung nasa harap mo lang right now," Carlos said.
"So ako, proud ako sa kanya right now. Wala akong masasabi. Mag-celebrate kami together. Kakain kami ng marami today. Tonight, makakakain na siya ng dessert tonight ng sobrang dami," he added.
Eldrew earlier shared that Carlos has been helping him develop a more positive mindset, turning 'what ifs' to manifestations of success
TURNING POINT
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 As Eldrew continues to navigate the senior level in artistic gymnastics, he believes this Asiad bronze medal will serve as fuel for him to keep going and improving.
"Every time na meron akong experience, doon na ako nag-turn ang point. Alam ko na kung ano yung kailangan kong i-improve. Alam ko na kung ano yung next move. Alam ko na kung ano yung kailangan kong baguhin," he said.
"And I'll just need to work on that kung gusto ko talagang manalo, kung gusto kong mag-improve not just in gymnastics, but to myself din. Sobrang laki ng mga learnings ko. And narealize ko din yun na paunti-unti, slow, pero paunti-unti ko siyang na-achieve na matutunan," Eldrew added.
The Yulo brothers expressed gratitude to all those who support them, especially Gymnastics Association of the Philippines President Cynthia Carrion.
Carrion had to fly back to the Philippines, following the passing of her husband, but expressed hope the gymnasts would win medals.
READ: GAP chief Cynthia Carrion to leave Asiad following husband's death
"Thank you, Lord. I just wanna say sa lahat ng mga sumusporta sa amin. Of course, Ma'am Cynthia, para sa inyo ito, Ma'am. Para sa inyo ito, Ma'am. Oh my God, thank you. Thank you po, Ma'am Cynthia, sa pagtitiwala at pag-support," Carlos said.
"Sa POC, sa ating President na si President Bambol [Tolentino]. Thank you, thank you palagi sa pagsusuporta sa amin. And Chairman Pato [Gregorio], thank you. Thank you sa lahat-lahat ng mga athletes po na hindi nyo po kami pinabayaan dito. Ramdam na ramdam namin yung spirit and supportan nyo sa aming lahat ng mga atletang Pilipino," he added.
As for Eldrew, he shared a message to his fellow athletes still competing for the country at the Asian Games.
"Lupitan lang natin palagi and tapangan lang natin palagi. Tanggalin natin yung self-doubt and laban lang tayo ng laban hanggang dulo. Sana safe tayo palagi and mag-ingat po tayo," he said.
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