Carlos Yulo is focused on adding to his medal collection when he competes in the Aichi-Nagoya 20th Asian Games men’s artistic gymnastics from September 20 to 25 at the Nagoya Civic General Gymnasium in Japan.
The 26-year-old three-time world champion is determined to secure gold in the Asiad after a podium-less debut in the Palembang 2018 Games and missing the Hangzhou 2023 Asian Games in China.
‘I have no Asian Games gold and I want to get one or maybe more,’ Yulo told the BusinessMirror.
‘I was world champion many times, then won World Cup titles, Southeast Asian Games crowns, and two gold medals in the Olympics. But I am missing Asian Games gold.
Personal trainer Aldrin Castañeda expects the entire continent to focus on Yulo.
‘They are all watching Carlos…the entire Asian opposition. So, we must prepare for all routines in all the apparatuses. Our execution in the floor exercise, vault, individual all-around events,’ Castañeda said.
Yulo is targeting the Asian Games men’s individual all-around gold medal, floor exercise, and vault gold medals.
The field features 44 other nations.
‘I am eyeing an individual all-around title, floor exercise, and vault, but I must prepare wisely and hopefully safe. So far, despite disruptions in training due to the heavy rains here in Manila, I make sure to be in good condition,’ Yulo added.
Yulo, double Olympics gold medalist in Paris, returned to training alongside younger brother Karl Eldrew who are both bound for the Asiad on Tuesday at the Intramuros gym, and strength and conditioning with Bethel Solano on Wednesday at Mandaluyong City gym.
The final training day in Manila is set September 1 before leaving for Japan on September 2 for two weeks training camp in Tukushikai gymnastics in Tokyo before going to Nagoya just a few days before the opening ceremonies take places.
Other Filipino gymnasts Juancho Miguel Besana, Justin Ace de Leon, and Zachary Nunez will train in Sohgoh gymnastics club.