Carlos Yulo Wins Gold Medal in Floor Exercise at Paris Olympics

Carlos Yulo has secured Team Philippines' first gold medal of the Paris Olympics 2024 by triumphing in the men’s artistic gymnastics floor exercise final at Bercy Arena on Saturday night (Manila time).

Yulo scored 15.000 points as the third gymnast in the competition, securing a golden finish – the Philippines' first gold of this year’s Olympics and second overall, following Hidilyn Diaz Naranjo’s historic win in the Tokyo Games.

Defending champion Artem Dolgopyat of Israel claimed the silver medal, while Great Britain's Jake Jarman completed the podium with a bronze.

Spain’s Rayderley Zapata kicked off the floor exercise event with a routine that earned him 14.333 points. Dolgopyat followed, scoring 14.966 points, setting a high standard for Yulo to meet.

Performing under the watchful eyes of the entire Bercy Arena, Yulo executed his floor routine nearly flawlessly, earning a remarkable score that five subsequent gymnasts could not surpass.

As a former world champion in floor exercise, Yulo showcased his skill with a perfect triple-twisting dismount during his final tumbling pass. He celebrated with a triumphant roar before leaving the podium.

The most intense moment came when Jarman, who had excelled in the floor exercise during the men’s all-around final and qualifications, took the floor. Yulo watched anxiously as Jarman executed his routine, eventually scoring 14.933 points.

Yulo and his team closely observed the last competitor, Luke Whitehouse of Great Britain, to see if his score would affect the medal standings. When Whitehouse's score came in at 14.466, Yulo was overcome with emotion, realizing he had secured the gold medal.

Yulo is the first Filipino gymnast to win an Olympic medal. He has another opportunity to add to his medal tally in the vault apparatus on Sunday, where he has previously been a world champion.

With this victory, Yulo joins weightlifter Diaz as one of only two Olympic gold medalists from the Philippines. Diaz won her gold in the women's 55-kilogram weightlifting division in Tokyo three years ago.