Members of the Philippine Gymnastics Team sought more support from the government on Thursday as they aim to qualify for the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
Justine De Leon, the team captain, said they could spend a lot more time training if only they had enough equipment like mats and a more comfortable training facility.
“Ang pinaka dinadaing talaga namin 'yung sobrang init po sa gym namin… Sa Japan po, (airconditioned) tapos sobrang laki ng gym then kumpleto sa mats. Hindi ka maiinjury kasi safe 'yung lalandingan mo,” he said.
De Leon added that they even run short of chalk, which they use to strengthen their grip on different gymnastics apparatus.
“Minsan po tinitipid namin. Kung sakaling maraming chalk, hindi na kami mangangamba na baka madulas kami, baka magkamali kami. Kumbaga gagawin namin, training na lang,” he shared.
Their request comes as they prepare for next year’s Southeast Asian Games, which they consider as one of the stepping stones before reaching the Olympics.
“(Target namin) mag-gold medal sa SEA Games and then pag kami na 'yung malalakas sa SEA Games, Asian championship then World Championship then Olympics,” said De Leon.
They are the same six-man team that welcomed Carlos Yulo with a lot of screaming, jumping, and hugging when he arrived at Villamor Airbase last Tuesday from his historic double gold victory in Paris.
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“Wala po kaming masabi. Hindi po namin ma-describe yung sobrang pagka-proud sa kanya. Nakamit niya yung pangarap niya pati yung mga pangarap din po namin,” said one of the athletes, Jan Gwynn Timbang.
Speaking to ABS-CBN News, they said they also hope that by the next Olympics season, they will be able to join Yulo not only in celebrating his win but to actually compete alongside him in a team event and represent the country with him.
One team member, John Ivan Cruz, said they will continue training even if it is their off-season because they want to improve.
“Nung SEA Games (last year) kasama namin siya (Carlos Yulo) mag-team competition. Talagang kulang pa po 'yung sa’min, talagang dinadala niya po kami. Kaya sana po sa susunod, mas malakas na kami,” said Cruz.
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The Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP) has said that it is developing both a men’s team and women’s team to send to LA in 2028, which would include Carlos Yulo, his younger brother Eldrew, and possibly Fil-British Gymnast Jake Jarman if he agrees to switch teams.
Yulo also earlier said that he is hoping and praying that he gets to compete with his siblings Eldrew and Elaiza, who are both award-winning gymnasts as well, in the next Olympics.
Although he refused to be interviewed on camera, Eldrew told ABS-CBN News that he is excited about that prospect too.
Even the Yulos’ grandfather, Rodrigo Frisco, who introduced all three siblings to the sport, believes that a Team Yulo in 2028 is possible.
“Sa tingin ko kaya kasi in every competition nakaka-medal sila… Diyos ko, para ka nang on top of the world dahil tatlong apo ko nandodoon. History nanaman 'yun!” said Frisco.