Yulo to compete on floor and vault at 2025 Worlds
Carlos Yulo, the Philippines’ trailblazing gymnast, is set to take the floor and vault floors at the 2025 World Gymnastics Championships in Jakarta, Indonesia. The 25-year-old remains determined to push through a wrist injury that has flared in the lead-up to the global event. Speaking to reporters after a routine practice session, Yulo explained that he chose to compete in two events—floor exercise and vault—as a way to satisfy his enduring love for competition while managing his health.
“I still want the taste of competition,” Yulo said, underscoring the mental and emotional stake he has in this week’s meet. “That is the most important for me right now.”
Injury timeline and what it means for his schedule
The two-time world champion revealed that the wrist trouble began about two months before the Jakarta arrival. He traced the issue to overuse as he attempted a new dismount off the parallel bars, a difficult skill that demanded precision and composite timing. “I kind of have been having trouble with my wrists,” he noted, adding that his current focus is strategic: competing where he can still deliver high-level artistry and control.
Yulo described the incident that set back his preparation: “I kind of did it too much,” referring to the double pike front with a half twist, a dismount that would test any gymnast’s wrist and grip. The caution is real, but so is the ambition. Even as he acknowledges limitations, he remains committed to showcasing stunning gymnastics on the world stage.
Why floor and vault are a smart fit for Yulo
Floor and vault are arguably Yulo’s strongest events in recent seasons, and they align with his strengths in artistry, speed, and execution. His floor routines have long combined elegant lines with explosive tumbling, while his vaults carry the precision that has earned him international medals and the nickname of a history-maker for Philippine gymnastics. By concentrating on these two apparatuses, Yulo can maximize his impact while protecting his wrists from unnecessary strain on other events like parallel bars and still rings.
Yulo’s decision mirrors a broader strategy often seen in gymnastics: athletes narrow focus when injuries restrict full participation. The compromise—compete in a subset of events while maintaining competitive spirit—gives him a platform to continue representing his country with pride and form a strong narrative around resilience and perseverance.
Past triumphs and the road ahead
The momentum surrounding Yulo has been extraordinary since last summer’s Olympic Games Paris 2024, where he won gold in both floor and vault. Those victories helped elevate gymnastics in the Philippines and inspired a new generation of young athletes eager to reach the world stage. The Jakarta meet presents another chapter in a career that has already rewritten expectations for Filipino athletes in the sport.
“It was really crazy,” Yulo reflected on the past year’s whirlwind of achievements and responsibilities. “That was really overwhelming to me, doing the things I hadn’t experienced before winning. I’m really grateful to God that I could experience that.” The gratitude is clear, yet the focus remains on performance and grace in Jakarta.
What success looks like for Yulo in Jakarta
For Yulo, success will be defined not only by scores but by the quality of his performance. He wants to deliver “beautiful gymnastics” and be “really graceful” on the floor and vault. The emphasis on artistry reflects his philosophy of competing: the joy of performing at the highest level, the trust in his training, and the journey back from an injury that could have sidelined him entirely.
While the wrist injury could limit his participation in other events where he has earned World Championship medals, Yulo’s ambition remains intact. “I’m just really happy that I get to compete,” he said, signaling relief and anticipation in equal measure as he steps onto the Jakarta arena floor.
Looking ahead
As the world watches, Yulo’s presence in Jakarta confirms a larger narrative about resilience in sport. It’s a reminder that athletes often balance ambition with health, choosing paths that honor both their love for competition and their long-term well-being. Whether he secures new medals or uses the meet to refine his artistry, Yulo’s story adds a powerful chapter to Philippine gymnastics and to the global conversation about perseverance in elite sport.
