Carlos Yulo, the Filipino gymnast and reigning floor exercise champion, showcased his skills once again as he captured a bronze medal in the floor exercise event of the 2024 FIG Men’s Artistic Gymnastics World Cup series Baku leg in Azerbaijan on Saturday afternoon, March 9 (Manila time).
Yulo’s impressive routine earned him a score of 14.366 points, with a difficulty level of 6.3 and an execution score of 8.066 points. He finished behind Yahor Sharamkou of Belarus, who took home the gold medal, and Minami Kazuki of Japan, who secured the silver medal.
Sharamkou showcased a remarkable performance, scoring 14.933 points with a difficulty level of 6.4 and an execution score of 8.533. Meanwhile, Minami tallied 14.666 points on a difficulty level of 6.2 and an execution score of 8.466.
The eight-man final also saw Eddie Penev of Bulgaria finishing fourth with 14.166 points, and Ryu Sunghyun of South Korea placing fifth with 14.133. Yuri Guimaraes of Brazil ranked sixth with 13.900 points, Aurel Benovic of Croatia seventh with 13.833, and Illia Kovtun of Ukraine eighth with 13.366.
For Yulo, this bronze medal was a significant achievement in a tournament where he faced challenges. Although he failed to advance to the championship round of five other apparatuses, he managed to salvage a medal in the floor exercise event.
During the preliminaries, Yulo displayed his prowess, securing the third spot in the floor exercise with 14.333 points. However, he faced tough competition in the other apparatuses and did not make it to the finals. He placed 21st in vault preliminaries, 16th in the horizontal bar, 41st in the pommel horse, ninth in parallel bars, and 18th in still rings.
Only the top eight gymnasts in each apparatus advanced to the finals, highlighting the level of competition in the tournament.
This World Cup Baku series leg marked Yulo’s first tournament since the World Championships last October. It served as a crucial event in his preparations for the upcoming Paris Olympics, where he aims to showcase his skills on a global stage.
On Sunday, March 10, another Filipino gymnast, Emma Malabuyo, will have an opportunity to compete for a medal in the women’s floor exercise final. The Filipino gymnastics team continues to make their mark in the international gymnastics scene, representing their country with pride and determination.
Carlos Yulo’s bronze medal in the floor exercise event of the 2024 FIG Men’s Artistic Gymnastics World Cup series Baku leg is a testament to his skill, dedication, and perseverance. As he continues his journey towards the Paris Olympics, the world eagerly awaits to witness his exceptional talent on the gymnastics floor.
Source: The Manila Times
