MANILA: Carlos Yulo, the celebrated gymnast, has been named the 2024 Athlete of the Year by the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) following his groundbreaking achievements at the Paris Olympics. Yulo made history as the first Filipino athlete to win two gold medals in the Summer Games, excelling in the men's floor exercise and vault categories.
According to Philippines News Agency, Yulo's remarkable feats have led to his selection as Athlete of the Year, a decision that was deemed a no-brainer by the PSA. This prestigious recognition will be formally presented during the PSA Awards Night on January 27 at the Manila Hotel. The event, backed by major sponsors such as San Miguel Corporation and co-presented by ArenaPlus, Cignal, and MediaQuest, will honor various achievements in Philippine sports.
Yulo follows in the footsteps of Pia Adelle Reyes, the last gymnast honored as Athlete of the Year by the PSA in 1997. The awards ceremony will also feature numerous accolades, including NSA of the Year, Major Awardees in other sports, President's Award, Executive of the Year, and various citations. Special recognition will be given to Filipino Olympians, including those from the Paris Olympics and Paralympics.
PSA President Nelson Beltran expressed the organization's pride in recognizing Yulo's accomplishments, stating that his historic Olympic performance is a celebration of Filipino excellence. Yulo's success builds on the legacy of weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, who secured the Philippines' first Olympic gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Yulo's journey to Olympic glory began in Tokyo, where he narrowly missed a podium finish in the men's vault final. Four years later, he returned to the Olympic stage with a vengeance, triumphing in the floor exercise with a score of 15.000 points, surpassing reigning champion Artem Dolgopyat of Israel. Yulo further cemented his legacy by winning the men's vault final with a score of 15.116, defeating Arthur Davtyan of Armenia.
Through his achievements, Carlos Yulo has etched his name in the annals of Philippine sports history, positioning himself as one of the greatest Filipino athletes of all time.
