Carlos Adriel Yulo made history on Saturday night (August 3) at the Bercy Arena by securing the Philippines’ first-ever Olympic gymnastics medal.

The 24-year-old gymnast dazzled the crowd with a flawless routine in the men’s artistic gymnastics floor exercise, achieving a score of 15.000 and clinching the gold medal.

Yulo’s performance stood out for its high level of difficulty and precision, setting him apart from the other seven finalists. His victory is not only a significant personal achievement but also marks the Philippines’ first gymnastics medal in Olympic history and their second gold medal overall. The country’s previous Olympic gold came from Hidilyn Diaz, who won in weightlifting at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

The news of Yulo’s triumph sparked widespread celebration across social media. Celebrities and public figures were quick to congratulate him, including Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray and comedian Vice Ganda, who invited fans to his new Vice Comedy Bar in celebration. Former Vice President Leni Robredo also shared her gratitude for Yulo’s success.

Yulo’s name trended on X (formerly Twitter) as Filipinos across the nation celebrated his groundbreaking achievement.

This gold medal represents a major milestone for Yulo, who has faced a series of challenges over the past few years. Despite setbacks, including a disappointing performance at the Tokyo Olympics and struggles at the 2022 World Championships, Yulo’s perseverance has led to this historic victory. His previous successes, including a gold medal at the 2019 World Championships, underscore his resilience and dedication to the sport.

Yulo’s win is a proud moment for the Philippines and a significant chapter in the country’s sporting history.