Manila: Gymnast Carlos Yulo and tennis player Alex Eala have emerged as the leading contenders for the prestigious 2025 Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Athlete of the Year award.
According to Philippines News Agency, Yulo's outstanding performance in the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he secured two gold medals, has placed him at the forefront of the competition. Additionally, Yulo triumphed in the vault event at the 53rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Jakarta and earned a bronze medal in the floor exercise. His achievements continued at the Artistic Gymnastics Asian Championships in Jecheon, Korea, where he claimed a gold in the floor exercise and three bronze medals.
Eala, at the age of 20, made history as the first Filipino woman to break into the top 50 of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) rankings, following her semifinal run at the Miami Open in March. She also claimed her first WTA 125 title in Mexico and won the Philippines' first gold medal in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand in 26 years.
Other athletes competing for the honor include golfer Miguel Tabuena, who won the International Series Philippines tournament, billiards player Chezka Centeno, who triumphed in the World Pool Association Women's 10-Ball event, and swimmer Kayla Sanchez, who earned eight medals, including three golds, at the 33rd SEA Games.
The PSA, the country's oldest media organization, will present the awards on February 2 at the Diamond Hotel Manila. Apart from the Athlete of the Year award, the PSA will also bestow honors such as the President's Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, Executive of the Year, and the National Sports Association of the Year, along with other major awards, citations, special awards, Tony Siddayao Award, and the Milo Junior Athletes of the Year.
