Japan Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya recognized Filipino gymnast and two-time Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo during a dinner celebration held at the ambassador’s residence on October 1, 2024.
In his speech, Ambassador Kazuya emphasized Yulo’s significant contributions to sports and the relationship between the Philippines and Japan.
“We pay tribute to Carlos’ unwavering resolve and hope that his story inspires even more aspiring athletes to excel boldly, even in the face of trials,“ Kazuya stated.
He also acknowledged the hard work and sacrifices Yulo has made for his achievements and mentioned that Yulo’s two medals symbolize the pride and closer ties between the Philippines and Japan.
“Carlos, this night belongs to you as we honor the hard work and sacrifices you have made for the golds and your goals. May your two medals always remind you of the two countries you’ve made prouder and closer with your exceptional achievements. Mabuhay ka, Carlos Edriel Yulo,” he continued.
Yulo expressed his gratitude for the support he received in Japan. He highlighted how Japan has been special to him, significantly boosting his gymnastics skills and personality.
“I just wanted to say, thank you so much for the love and support that you gave me and for the other athletes. Of course, Japan is really special to my heart. It really helped me boost my gymnastics and my personality as well. And I’m really grateful for the people that I met there. I learned skills, their culture, how they speak and how they move. I'm really grateful for that,” said Yulo.
To recall, the 24-year-old Olympian moved to Japan in 2016 after accepting an offer from the Japan Olympic Association to train under their scholarship program. He studied at Teikyo University in Tokyo and earned an Associate's Degree in Literature in 2022.
