Filipino gymnasts Karl Eldrew Yulo and John Ivan Cruz at the 2026 FIG World Cup Artistic Gymnastics in Baku, Azerbaijan. Handout/Gymnastics Association of the Philippines
MANILA – Two Filipino gymnasts will compete for the flag at the 2026 FIG World Cup Artistic Gymnastics in Baku, Azerbaijan from March 5 to 8.
Two-time SEA Games gold medalist John Ivan Cruz and World Junior Artistic Gymnastic Championships bronze medalist Karl Eldrew Yulo will be the country's representatives in the tournament.
The Gymnastics Association of the Philippines on Wednesday shared a photo of Cruz and Yulo with their coaches Nedal Alyousef and Reyland Capellan after training.
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The competition marks the younger Yulo's first competition in the senior level.
The 17-year-old said he's heading into his first senior level competition with an open mind, eager to learn as he faces top gymnasts from over 30 nations.
"Ngayon po low expectations kumbaga since first. Maraming makakalaban, marami akong matutunanan. Marami akong kailangan i-improve," he said at the Philippine Sportswriters Association Awards Night last month.
Yulo returned to Manila ahead of the tournament, after being trained by Munehiro Kugimiya in Japan, the same coach of his older brother Carlos.
GAP President Cynthia Carrion said Yulo will also compete in another World Cup in Antalya, Turkiye from March 12 to 15.
"We're going to be joining all the World Cups to qualify for the Olympics. It's starts this year and next year. We have to qualify," she said.
Carrion earlier lauded the younger Yulo's skills, especially after he played through an ankle injury at the Junior World Gymnastics last year.
"I just hope he doesn't get injured. Without injury, he can really make it. Because he's very active. I said dahan-dahan lang Eldrew, I don't want you to get hurt because you're talagang magaling," she said.
Qualifications for the FIG World Cup Baku will take place on March 5, Thursday.