MANILA – Eldrew Yulo is making the most of his final competition as a junior, as he leads the Philippine team in the 3rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics Junior World Championships.
Yulo will open the campaign of the men's team in the all-around qualifications on Thursday, as he competes in the high bar or horizontal bar.
"Mag-focus [ako] at enjoy ko lang ito, gawin ko lang ano best ko. Yun lang nasa isip ko. And then nagta-thank you na ako kay God kung ano man yung result or kung ano man ang kakalabasan," he told ABS-CBN News before the qualifications.
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"I just need to enjoy this moment because this is gonna be my last. Because if I'm going to stress myself about other people, you're not gonna enjoy this, you're gonna get pressured. Enjoy every moment in your life, be positive."
The 17-year-old gymnast said he is most confident in the floor exercise, vault and the high bar events, but vows to do his best in all of the six apparatus.
He shared his preparations in Japan, training under Munehiro Kugimiya, the same coach that mentored his brother, double Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo.
"I've been preparing this for the whole year. Seven months of that year I trained in Japan. It's been a good preparation. I can say that I'm one of the toughest athletes there because the skills I can do is for a senior. I think it is a good preparation," Yulo said.
"It's my biggest dream because when I was a kid I wanted to train there. But now I still have to work for it so I can live my other dreams. Now I have to make the [tough] decisions, sacrifice," he added.
Yulo is grateful for the opportunity to compete on home soil, citing the warm support not just from his family but from Filipino fans.
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"Sobrang nakaka-pressure kasi nga, we're in the Philippines. Maraming mag-co-compete -- may China, may Japan. It's gonna be a tough one. I'll just pray on it and do my best," he said.
"This is gonna be my last competition in juniors because next year I will be 18 and I will be competing with my brother. Abangan niyo 'yan guys, gagawin namin 'yung best namin para mapasaya kayo. Marami ako natutunan kay kuya, sa coaches ko," Yulo added.
Joining Yulo in the men's team are Batang Pinoy standouts CJay Pernia and Hillarion Palles III.
The women's team composed of Elisabeth Antone, Maxine Bondoc, Jellian Bantilan and Sabine Tayag will see action in the qualifications on Friday.
The 3rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics Junior World Championships will run until November 24 at the Marriott Grand Ballroom in Pasay City.