BAKU, Azerbaijan — Rising Filipino gymnastics star Karl Eldrew Yulo has successfully advanced to two apparatus finals at the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup in Baku, marking a historic senior-level debut for the 18-year-old.
Despite competing in the senior division for the first time, the younger brother of two-time Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo secured spots in two major events:
- Floor Exercise: Yulo placed 4th in the qualification round with a score of 13.800. He finished behind Kazakhstan’s Milad Karimi, who led the field with 14.433.
- Horizontal Bar: He secured 6th place with a score of 13.533. Tang Chia-hung of Chinese Taipei topped this event with a 14.800.
- Other Events: Yulo faced minor setbacks in the vault and pommel horse events but maintained enough momentum to qualify for his two strongest apparatuses.
This tournament is Yulo’s first as a senior gymnast after a record-breaking junior career where he became the first Filipino to medal at the Junior World Championships (winning two bronzes in Manila in November 2025).
- Olympic Hopes: Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP) President Cynthia Carrion confirmed that Yulo will compete in the entire World Cup series—including an upcoming stop in Antalya, Turkiye (March 12–15)—to earn qualifying points for the Olympics.
- Preparation: Yulo recently trained in Japan under Munehiro Kugimiya, the same coach who guided his brother Carlos to world and Olympic titles.
- Floor Exercise Final: Saturday, March 7, 2026
- Horizontal Bar Final: Sunday, March 8, 2026