After his historic feat in 2024, all eyes will be on Carlos Yulo this year in anticipation of a follow-up act to his double gold finish in the Paris Olympics.

But Carlos Yulo is tempering expectations as he focuses on improvements with a firm eye on another Olympics stint in 2028 in Los Angeles.

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“I’m feeling weaker now with the lack of training [after the Olympics], but that’s expected,” Yulo told reporters after receiving his award for Athlete of the Year from the Philippine Sportswriters Association on Monday night at Manila Hotel. “But I’m still eyeing my dreams. I was able to refresh and relax.”

READ: Carlos Yulo all business after break

Yulo said he is taking things slow as he returns to his intense training routines, with an emphasis on staying healthy. He plans on competing in three major events this year: the Asian Gymnastics Championship in June, the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in October and the Southeast Asian Games in December.

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“I’m slowly getting back to intense training and I’m being careful since I just started again. It’s important to compete healthily, physically, mentally, and spiritually,” he said.

The diminutive star gymnast said that he is first looking to regain the feel for competition after taking time to celebrate his remarkable achievement in August last year.

“I want to learn again the competition feel. I feel a bit lost since it’s been a while since I competed,” the soft-spoken Yulo admitted. “I’m not expecting to win [this year], but I’m expecting to give my best no matter what  Win or lose,  I’ll learn a lot this year for sure. I’ll use it in my next competitions.”

“I’m not afraid of making mistakes.  My end goal is to enter the Olympics and be healthy. No matter what happens, I’m very grateful and I won’t regret it.”

‘Victory for all’

Carlos Yulo, the Philippines’ first and only double gold medalist in the Olympics, receives his Athlete of the Year award from the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) during its awards night on Monday at Manila Hotel. He is with his girlfriend Chloe San Jose, coach Allen Aldrin Castañeda and GAP president Cynthia Carreon. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Throughout the night dedicated to last year’s best performers in sports and notable Filipino Olympians in history,  Yulo was flanked by reporters and fellow athletes alike.

Yulo made sure to give credit to his fellow athlete in attendance, which included his brother and rising gymnast Eldrew, for helping the Philippines reach a banner year in sports.

“I’m very thankful. I’m super grateful. I’m thankful to God for all the possibilities and blessings that he gave me,” Yulo said.

READ: Carlos Yulo tells aspiring athletes: enjoy the process, set goals

“All of us here are winners. I’m not different from them, they’re not different from me. I salute the hard work and dedication that they give in their daily training and for their dreams.”

After achieving unprecedented success that some could only dream of, Yulo said that he still has a lot of offer and discover–as an athlete and as a person–including being a guiding light to Philippine gymnastics.

“It’s still trial and error. I’m still looking for growth. As an athlete, in my personal life, as a person. I want to know more what makes me happy and things I want to do,” he said.

“I’m also excited to help the gymnastics community and the sports community. I want to fulfill the dreams of the kids. I want to help them with the knowledge and experiences I acquired in life.”