MANILA, Philippines – Olympic champion Carlos Yulo knows there are many reasons to return to Japan — from relishing some ramen again to thanking all those who played a key part in his gymnastics journey.
The Filipino superstar plans to visit soon, a year after he returned to Manila following a near-decade of studying and training in Japan.
“Japan is really special to my heart. It really helped me to boost my gymnastics, and of course, my personality as well,” said Yulo.
“I’m really grateful for the people that I met there. I learned skills, their culture, how they speak, how they move. I’m really grateful for that, and for the help that they gave to me, and the knowledge that I acquired now, and all the winnings that I accomplished.”
Yulo, who is fluent in Japanese, shared his return plans during the celebration dinner hosted by the Japan embassy on Tuesday, October 1, nearly two months since his historic double-gold conquest in the Paris Olympics.
The diminutive stalwart received a citation from Japan Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya and his wife Akiko, honoring him “for his outstanding contribution to the world of sports and Philippines-Japan relation.”
Yulo, who moved to Japan when he was just 16, said he specifically plans to visit Teikyo University, the school in Tokyo that offered him a scholarship.
“I’m going to the university to say thank you for the support they gave me, and of course, for the scholarship they gave me, and for also taking care of me,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino.
“I want to see them, the president of the university, to say thank you. Of course, I will show my medals.”
But there’s also one thing that Yulo said will definitely be in his itinerary.
“I miss ramen,” he shared. “I’ll be eating ramen.”
‘Coach Mune’
Yulo’s return may be the “greeting tour” coach Munehiro Kugimiya had hoped his former ward would do after a golden Olympic romp in Paris.
Yulo and the Japanese mentor fondly called “coach Mune” parted ways in 2023 after a successful decade-long partnership that resulted in multiples medals, including historic world championships in floor exercise (2019) and vault (2021).
“When the Tokyo Olympics was over, Carlos and I vowed together that if we won gold in Paris, we would bring our gold medals to greet all those who have helped us,” Munehiro told Rappler in August.
“He doesn’t have to be with me, but I hope he will carry out this greeting tour with his two gold medals.“
Although Yulo didn’t say if he would meet with Munehiro in his return trip to Japan, he said he’d always be grateful for the coach who set him up for Olympic glory.
“I learned work dedication from him and he taught me to just try and try — huwag matakot, huwag sumuko sa kung anong gusto mong abutin sa buhay (don’t be afraid, don’t give up on what you want to achieve in life),” Yulo shared.
“Kapag sinipagan mo, tiyanaga mo, binigyan mo ng oras, binigyan mo ng dedication mo, binigay mo puso mo, kahit hindi mo maabot pangarap mo sa buhay, may mas maaabot na mas mataas doon, which is mas makilala mo sarili mo sa journey.”
(If you worked hard, persevered, gave your time and dedication, and gave your heart, even if you don’t reach your dream in life, you’ll gain something better, which is knowing yourself more in the journey.) – Rappler.com