Photo from Gymnastics Association of the Philippines
MANILA – The Yulo brothers will headline the Philippine national men's gymnastics team for the upcoming 20th Asian Games, according to Gymnastics Association of the Philippines president Cynthia Carrion-Norton.
The GAP chief is optimistic of the team's chances in the continental meet given the strong gymnasts gearing up to represent the flag.
"For sure, he's [Carlos] the one who wants it very badly. He wants it as a team. He says he wants us to come in as a team. And he wants us to be in the Olympics as a team. That's why we have to make sure that our team is strong," Carrion told ABS-CBN News in an exclusive interview at the GAP Gym in Intramuros, Manila on Friday.
READ: Eldrew Yulo targets further improvement after World Cup breakthrough
"So in these Asian Games, they're only going to accept five Asian teams... I feel good that we can make it in one of the teams. And if you are one of the teams, then you go to the Olympics. Imagine to have a team for the Olympics with Carlos. Carlos also would like his people to be with him, even though they will be all around," she added.
Carlos decided to sit out the 33rd Southeast Asian Games last December, following a rule limiting artistic gymnasts to win only one apparatus.
This time around, the GAP President said the goal is to build a strong team for the Asian Games, which limits each country to field only five gymnasts.
The men's artistic gymnastics team will be composed of Carlos and Eldrew Yulo, Miguel Besana, Filipino-American Zachary Nunez and the final slot still pending.
READ: Carlos Yulo wins gold, Eldrew takes bronze in floor exercise finals at Asian Championships
"I'm trying to get this guy called Troy Nuesca. We're working hard on him. But if we cannot get him because of circumstances, then we will get Ace. Ace de Leon will be the fifth because we are only allowed five," Carrion said.
"If anything happens to them physically, they get injured, sorry. No reserve. Usually, you would bring a reserve for injury. But this one, only five [gymnasts]," she added.
Carrion said having two-time Olympic gold medalist Carlos and FIG World Cup gold medalist Eldrew will be a huge boost for the team.
"It's very important because even Carlos understands it, even the judging, they say, oh, there's an Olympian. I mean, it's a different, I say, oh, that's an Olympian, you know, competing. So it's a different way they look at you, you know, in the country. And knowing that I have an Olympian and I know Eldrew is following up his steps, so our chances are very good," she said.
"You know, the MAG team, it's beautiful the way they cheer for one another when one is competing. It brings up their ego, their motivation. It's very, very important. So the camaraderie among the team is very, very important," Carrion added.
The Yulo brothers made history in the 13th Senior Artistic Gymnastics Asian Championships, after Carlos struck gold and Eldrew clinched bronze in the men's floor exercise final last month.
The GAP chief lauded the younger Yulo for his impressive showing months since his debut on the senior level.
"We're very, very proud of them... And they're already qualified for the world, which is wonderful. They don't have to go through all this other process. So now they can compete in the World Championship to qualify for the Olympics," Carrion said.
"For Eldrew, he just started his senior career. Imagine, he's only just became 18, and look how well he's doing. He can do very, very well," she added.
Carrion believes Eldrew can reach greater heights, as long as he focuses more in training and strengthens his mentality, similar to his brother Carlos.
The artistic gymnastics event for the Asian Games will take place from September 21 to 25 at the Rainbow Hall of the Nagoya City General Gymnasium in Japan.