Paris Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo visits the ABS-CBN Newsroom at the ABS-CBN Compound in Quezon City on August 27, 2024. Gigie Cruz, ABS-CBN News/File
MANILA -- The Philippine gymnastics team is now in the Chinese city of Zunyi for the 13th Senior and 19th Junior Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships, where valuable qualification spots for the 2026 Asian Games and World Championships are up for grabs.
The Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP) fielded a 12-man contingent for the men's competition, composed of six seniors and six juniors, while a separate squad will represent the country in the women's artistic gymnastics events.
Leading the senior men's team is two-time Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo, who will compete alongside younger brother Karl Eldrew Yulo for the first time as members of the same senior national team at the Asian Championships.
The Yulo brothers were both present at last year's championships in Jecheon, South Korea, but Eldrew competed in the junior division. He officially moved up to the senior ranks at the start of the 2026 season, making his debut at the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan in March.
The younger Yulo quickly found his footing in the senior circuit. He captured his first senior gold medal after topping the floor exercise event at the Antalya leg of the World Cup Series in Turkey before adding two bronze medals in Cairo, including one in the horizontal bar finals.
READ: PH's Eldrew Yulo wins floor exercise gold at FIG World Cup Antalya
Carlos Yulo heads into the meet coming off a strong showing in Jecheon last year, where he won gold in the floor exercise and secured bronze medals in the individual all-around and vault events. The Philippines finished fifth overall with a haul of one gold, one silver, and three bronze medals.
Also suiting up for the senior men's team are Juancho Miguel Besana, Justine Ace De Leon, Zachary Nuñez, and John Ivan Cruz.
The junior men's squad is composed of King Cjay Pernia, Hillarion III Palles, John Anthony Palles, Rodrigo Woods, Josue Matito, and Marc Nathan Ayson.
For the women's competition, the senior team features Chiara Dawn Andrew, Kylee Kvamme, Haylee Garcia, Amara Zoe Lagdameo, Cielo Andrea Esliza, and Angela Matilda Aboboto. The junior side will be represented by Tchelzy Mei Maayo, Jellian Bantilan, Maxine Amira Bondoc, Aluna Margaux Labrador, and Maria Adriana Pasco.
The men's competitions will be held from June 18 to 21, while the women's events are scheduled from June 25 to 28 at the Zunyi Olympic Sports Centre Stadium.
The Asian Championships also serve as a crucial qualifying event for the 2026 World Championships.