Carlos Yulo thanks Tokyo Olympics ‘OGs’ for inspiration in Paris triumph

As the rewards continue to roll in, more than a month after his Olympic gold, Carlos Yulo honors the Tokyo Games heroes who inspired him

BATANGAS, Philippines – Kudos to those who paved the way.

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo showed his appreciation for his fellow Filipino athletes, saying they inspired him to make history at the Paris Games.

“Nasty at Nesthy (Petecio), Kuya Eumir (Marcial) — my idols in Tokyo — you were my inspiration, and also at Hidilyn (Diaz), and Kuya EJ (Obiena), the Tokyo OGs (original gangster),” Yulo said during an Aice Thanksgiving event honoring Team Philippines here in Malvar on Thursday, September 26.

“Thank you for boosting my motivation and inspiring me,” the gymnast added.

In preparation for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Yulo hoped to maintain his momentum after winning a historic World Floor Exercise Championship in 2019.

But due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all sporting events were postponed, including the Tokyo Olympics, which were moved to 2021.

Yulo was meanwhile struggling with personal problems and had a difficult time in Tokyo, where he failed to win a medal.

But the rest of Team Philippines performed excellently, with weightlifter Diaz making history by capturing the Philippines’ first Olympic gold.

Silver for boxers Petecio and Carlo Paalam and bronze for Marcial were also the Philippines’ best performances at the Olympic Games.

But Yulo’s gold double in Paris surpassed his best performance of all time, while Petecio and boxer Aira Villegas also won bronze.

This historic achievement continues to bring rewards for Yulo and the rest of the Filipino Olympians.

Yulo received 2 million pesos and a year’s worth of ice cream products from national team sponsor Aice Ice Cream, as well as a silver coin with his initials, minted during a Thanksgiving ceremony by the Singaporean brand on Thursday at its Batangas branch.

Petecio received P300,000 and a year’s supply of ice cream, while the other Olympians also received a brand reward.

Yulo, Petecio and Marcial, as well as boxer Hergie Bacyadan and rower Joanie Delgaco, were given a personal tour of the 50,000-square-meter complex, which the company touts as the largest complex of its kind in Southeast Asia.

The Filipino athlete hopes their success will encourage more brands to support athletes, starting at the amateur level.

“We hope that (sponsors) will also fund the grassroots program as there are many candidates who want to reach the podium,” Yulo said.

“They want to take home medals just like we do.”

The 24-year-old artistic gymnast, who plans to take a break for the rest of the year, expects to compete again in the Southeast Asian Games and the World and Asian Gymnastics Championships in 2025. – Rappler.com