CARLOS Yulo made everything moot and academic. The human dynamo gymnast made history as the first ever Filipino athlete to win two gold medals in the Olympics in a fitting exploit celebrating the country’s century of participation in the Summer Games. Yulo, 24, scored the rare double gold by topping the men’s floor exercise and vault, respectively, leading the Philippines to a feat the country has never done before in the annals of the quadrennial showcase.
For such a breakthrough accomplishment, this one was a no-brainer as Yulo was the overwhelming choice as the 2024 Athlete of the Year by the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) in its coming Awards Night on January 27 at the grand ballroom of the Manila Hotel. Yulo became the first gymnast since young Pia Adelle Reyes in 1997 to be recognized as Athlete of the Year by the country’s oldest media organization in its traditional gala night backed by San Miguel Corp. and co-presented by ArenaPlus, Cignal, and MediaQuest.
Several awards are also lined up during the formal presentation supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Milo, PLDT/Smart, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go and Januarius Holdings serve as well as the Philippine Basketball Association, Premiere Volleyball League, 1-Pacman Party List, AcroCity, Rain or Shine and Akari. The NSA of the Year, Major Awardees in other sports, President’s Award, Executive of the Year, Citations, Tony Siddayao Awards, as well as the H.
