MANILA – Filipino gymnast Carlos Edriel Yulo emerged as the overwhelming choice for the 2024 Athlete of the Year by the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) following his two-gold medal feat in the Paris Olympics.
The 24-year-old Yulo, who ruled the Paris Summer Games’ men’s floor exercise and vault events, will officially receive his citation in the Awards Night on January 27 at the grand ballroom of the Manila Hotel.
Yulo etched his name in history as the first Filipino athlete to win two gold medals in the Olympics, a remarkable feat that celebrated the country’s century-long participation in the competition.
Yulo becomes the first gymnast since Pia Adelle Reyes in 1997 to be named Athlete of the Year by the country’s oldest media organization.
“From a great Olympic performance to an even greater Olympic show, and from one big breakthrough to an even bigger breakthrough – thanks to Carlos Yulo, whose giant feat we will celebrate by honoring him with our highest accolades,” said PSA President Nelson Beltran.
Yulo’s triumph came as a perfect follow-up to weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz’s historic Olympic gold medal win during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, when she triumphed in the women’s 55kg class final.
In addition to the Athlete of the Year award, a host of other accolades will be presented, including the NSA of the Year, Major Awards in other sports, the President’s Award, Executive of the Year, Citations, the Tony Siddayao Awards, and Hall of Fame recognitions. Special recognition will also be given to Filipino Olympians, including those from the Paris Olympics and Paralympics./PN
