Two-time Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo is shifting his focus toward the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics after finishing without a medal at the 2026 Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Rotterdam, Netherlands. The 26-year-old Filipino gymnast placed eighth in the floor exercise final on October 24 with 13.233 points, before finishing seventh in vault on October 25 with an average of 13.883. His results marked a disappointing conclusion to the competition, particularly after winning Olympic gold in both events at Paris 2024 and securing two gold medals at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
Yulo’s floor exercise performance was affected by a fall that resulted in deductions, while an uneven first vault complicated his attempt to defend the world title he captured in 2025. He scored 13.333 on his first vault and 14.433 on his second, falling short of the podium led by Armenia’s Artur Davtyan (14.850), Great Britain’s Jake Jarman (14.650), and Norway’s Sebastian Sponevik (14.366). Despite the setback, Yulo remains one of the Philippines’ most accomplished gymnasts, having also won floor exercise gold at the Asian Championships earlier this year. The Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP) expressed continued support for the national team, acknowledging the athletes’ efforts and encouraging them to prepare for upcoming international competitions.
The next major opportunity in Yulo’s Olympic campaign will come at the 2027 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Chengdu, China, scheduled for September 28 to October 6, followed by additional qualification opportunities through the 2028 FIG World Cup Series and continental championships. Yulo is seeking his third consecutive Olympic appearance, with the possibility of competing alongside his younger brother, Karl Eldrew Yulo, adding another goal to the family’s gymnastics journey. Although his Rotterdam campaign ended without a medal, the results provide an opportunity to reassess his routines, improve execution, and prepare for the qualification events that will determine his path to Los Angeles.
Image from Patrick Post