00:00Who would have thought that the interest in breakdancing and stunts would lead to tumbling and even double gold in the Olympics?
00:10That's just a side note to the stories of Carlos Yulo, who plans to jump to pass the kids who are also fond of sports.
00:19The second part of his story in the GMA Integrated News Interviews is about Pia Arcangel.
00:25At the age of 24, Carlos Yulo experienced the sweetness of success that he dreamed of and worked hard for almost his entire life.
00:36According to Carlos, he was only 7 years old when he first became interested in gymnastics.
00:42Breakdancing was a thing back then.
00:44We used to try it in the playground in front of Manila Zoo.
00:59My grandfather would always take us there.
01:02We would try until we learned the basics.
01:10Wait, did you join breakdancing?
01:13No.
01:14The stunts were what I wanted to learn.
01:19Even though Carlos didn't join breakdancing, he was deceived to watch professional gymnastics.
01:25It was 2012 when I watched the Olympics for the first time.
01:30That's when I decided that I wanted to be like them.
01:35I wanted to compete at this level and get a gold medal.
01:41That's when my dream really started.
01:44Carlos joined a local gym and met the President of the Philippines Gymnastics Association, Cynthia Carrion.
01:51When I met him, of course he just wanted to learn how to tumble.
01:55But when I saw him, I could see the passion in his eyes.
01:59He didn't even have a coach.
02:03So I asked him to join the Batang Pinoy that is 12 years and under.
02:11He has no coach and he won medals.
02:13Because Carlos was talented, Carrion gave him a coach so that he could improve his techniques.
02:20We had a foreign coach, a Japanese.
02:22His coach wanted to go back to Tokyo because he wanted to learn how to coach better.
02:28He wanted to go to school.
02:29I said, you cannot leave Carlos.
02:31I said, but I have to go back to Tokyo.
02:34I said, is it okay if I send Carlos with you?
02:38He said, of course.
02:40In 2016, Carlos went to Japan for training.
02:44I practiced two times a day.
02:47But when I was in high school, I also had school.
02:51So I went to school and practiced.
02:53And I practiced again and again.
02:56And when I was in college, it was a bit more relaxed.
03:00So I practiced morning and afternoon.
03:03How many hours did you practice after school?
03:06That time, four to five hours.
03:11And then after school, six hours.
03:15I had to write a letter and ask the president of the school if he could use the hyperbaric chamber, the fitness gym.
03:21The coach said, please try to talk to the president so that Carlos can use it.
03:27So we did.
03:28And he said, yes, he approved it.
03:30Carlos plans to go back to his old school in Tokyo before the end of the year
03:35so that he can personally thank the people who helped him.
03:38And as a thank you, Carlos was able to pave the way for children like him
03:43who are fond of sports through the construction of gymnastics clinics.
03:48I also want to share the knowledge that I learned in my journey.
03:55And of course, to have fun with the kids.
03:58And I myself, I will enjoy sharing my journey.
04:05For Carlos, it is also important to pay attention to the mental health and well-being of the athletes
04:10based on his personal experience.
04:13It's not just about skills.
04:16It's not always physical.
04:18It's mental.
04:19I make sure that you don't ask yourself if you're okay.
04:26And above all, his faith led Carlos to the path of success.
04:33Everything that I did in the Olympics, in my career,
04:38it's all because of the Lord.
04:40I learned to be thankful and appreciate everything that I have now.
04:46Carlos also values his two Olympic gold medals.
04:50Not just for himself, but for the whole country.
04:53Especially for the Filipino youth.
04:55We are so excited and grateful
04:58that we are the athletes who have an impact on the youth.
05:04We are so grateful that we were given this opportunity.
05:07For GMA Integrated News, Pia Arcangel, Nakatutok, 24 Hours.
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