Karl Eldrew Yulo flirted with a podium finish but ultimately placed eighth in the men’s individual all-around finals of the FIG Junior World Championships at the Manila Marriott Grand Ballroom, Newport World Resorts in Pasay City. Saturday, Nov. 22, the event drew a sellout crowd, including Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz.

Yulo dazzled on floor exercise with a top individual score of 14.300 points, ranking as high as second in the early stages of the competition. The younger brother of Paris Olympic double gold medalist Carlos Edriel Yulo faltered in the pommel horse and rings, scoring 13.000 and 12.066 points, respectively, and dropped from podium contention.

Yulo’s resilience and key performances

Despite a wobbly parallel bars dismount that earned him 12.833 points, Yulo posted solid marks on the vault (13.466) and horizontal bar (13.006), maintaining a top-ten position after qualifying in 15th place.

A minor sprain in his right ankle caused a brief delay at the mixed zone interview, but Yulo assured reporters, flashing his trademark smile, that he would continue to compete and give his best. “Medyo may kirot, pero Pilipino tayo, kaya dapat ilaban. Pipilitin po nating kakayaning ito,” he said.

Gymnastics chief Cynthia Carrion highlighted Yulo’s strong showing on floor exercise while acknowledging challenges on the pommel horse and rings. “He really had a very good floor exercise, but was not at his best on pommel horse and rings, which pulled him down in the standings. Still, he’s the best No. 8 junior gymnast in the world,” she said.

Looking ahead: floor exercise finals and more

Yulo aims to rebound in his pet event, the floor exercise finals, following his second-place qualifier last Thursday. He will conclude his campaign with vault and horizontal bar competitions tomorrow, Monday, looking to end the tournament on a high note.