MANILA -- Filipino gymnast Carlos Yulo described his experience at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan as both challenging and sweet.
In an interview with Migs Bustos for ANC's "Headstart," Yulo opened up about his recent international competition, where he won two gold medals.
"It was challenging. Going there po talaga ang daming stressful moments and to be actually there sa mismong Asian Games, it was really a lot for everyone. Ang daming inconvenience and hindi aligned. So 'yun po ang masasabi kong moment na challenging for everyone, not only for me, kasi alam kong maraming nag-i-struggle po," Yulo said.
"And sweet kasi even though ganoon ang mga nangyayari po and kahit po lumagapak tayo, kahit natumaba tayo sa high bar, kahit hindi ko siya na-catch, ganoon ang bagsak ko sa vault, it was really sweet kasi nakapag-uwi po tayo ng two gold medals at siyempre nag-add po roon ang kapatid ko si Drew. So it's really, really sweet experience for us," Carlos added.
Despite all the challenges, Yulo said he and his brother gave it their all.
"That time I was really leaning to God bahala na kako. Gagawin ko ang part ko ang best ko whatever the result is ang faith ko hindi mababago. ... It was really challenging but I know our God is guiding me all through out sa mga nangyayari. Hindi Siya natutulog; nandiyan Siya palagi nakaantabay. Hindi Niya ako pinabayaan. Kaya masarap ang success, it's really sweet kapag nakuha mo because of that challenges," he said.
Apart from the honor of winning medals in the competition, Yulo said their Asian Games journey also helped in building his relationship with his brother Eldrew, who won bronze medal.
"Mas naging close kami bilang atleta also and bilang as a kuya. Mas kumportable na kami sa isa't isa, mas nakakapag-spend na kami ng time together. Before medyo kapaan, awkwardness; ngayon mas nakakapag-banter na kami, nakakapaglokohan na kami, umaabot na sa ganoong point. And I'm really, really happy na ganoon. Okay lang walang huli sa mga ganoong scenario at siyempre relationship siya," he said.
"And I'm really happy and glad na si Eldrew bilang siya gusto niya rin magkaroon ng kuya na kagaya ko. Ako, happy din ako na magkaroon ng kapatid na ime-mentor, kahit wala kaming gawin masaya lang kami. Iba din ang dating sa Filipinos na dalawa kayong magkapatid and you're representing the country. It was really heavy but at the same time it's really exciting for the both of us. Pinagpi-pray ko na hanggang nandito kami sa career na ito our goal is to really give our everything," he added.
In the interview, Yulo also revealed that as early as now they are already planning for the 2028 Olympics.
"Yung mga nangyari po right now, it's part of it. 'Yung Asian Games, World Championships part po siya ng Olympic journey ko po," Yulo said.