Carlos Yulo becomes the Philippines’ first double Olympic gold medalist as he reigns supreme in the men’s vault final in the Paris Olympics

MANILA, Philippines – Carlos Yulo ended his scintillating Paris Games run with another historic feat.

Yulo became the Philippines’ first double Olympic gold medalist after reigning in the men’s artistic gymnastics vault final at the Bercy Arena on Sunday, August 4.

Riding on the momentum of his golden performance in floor exercise, the 24-year-old Yulo averaged 15.116 points to claim the top prize as he sent the country to a frenzied celebration for the second straight night.

Yulo impressed with his first vault and netted 15.433 points then garnered 14.800 points in his second vault, finally getting the job done after placing fourth in the same apparatus in the Tokyo Games three years ago.

Filipinos online erupt in celebration as Carlos Yulo becomes the Philippines’ first double Olympic gold medalist after dominating the men’s vault final in the Paris Olympics

Despite his stellar routine, Yulo remained in danger of being overtaken as the rest of the field included former world champion and Tokyo silver medalist Artur Davtyan of Armenia.

With Tokyo champion Shin Jea-hwan of South Korea not returning to defend his title, Davtyan – the last to perform in the eight-man finale – looked set for his big Olympic moment.

Davtyan, however, settled for a silver anew as he mustered just 14.966 points – an Olympic gold remaining elusive.

Great Britain’s Harry Hepworth bagged bronze with an average of 14.949 points, edging compatriot Jake Jarman (14.933) for the last podium spot.

Croatia’s Aurel Benovic placed fifth with 14.900 points followed by Ukraine’s Nazar Chepurnyi (14.899), Iran’s Mahdi Olfati (14.266), and Ukraine’s Igor Radivilov (14.166).

When Yulo confirmed his victory, he held his two hands over his head, seemingly in disbelief of his feat that has made him not just one of the greatest Filipino athletes but also one of the most decorated gymnasts in history.

And it took Yulo to hit one of the lowest points of his career as his storied Olympic campaign came just less than a year since he went home empty-handed from the previous World Artistic Gymnastics Championships.

But Yulo kept the faith in himself and delivered on the biggest stage in sports.

He nailed his opening Ri Se Gwang vault – a front handspring double piked salto with a half twist – to earn 15.433 points, the highest by a male gymnast in the apparatus in this Olympics.

Yulo then landed a Kasamatsu double twist that gave him 14.800 points and an average of 15.116 points on the way to becoming the first Filipino to win multiple medals in a single Olympics.

A gem from the grassroots who got discovered in the Palarong Pambansa, Yulo joined an exclusive club of multiple Olympic medalists from the Philippines that includes swimmer Teofilo Yldefonso and weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz.

Yldefonso won a bronze each in the 1928 Amsterdam and 1932 Los Angeles Games, while Diaz captured the Philippines’ breakthrough gold in Tokyo after she copped silver in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

Three years since Diaz ended the golden drought, Yulo produced two more as the Philippines – celebrating its 100th year of Olympic participation – takes home multiple golds from a single Games for the first time.

With two golds from Yulo, the Philippines has matched its four-medal haul in Tokyo – its biggest in Olympic history – as boxers Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas are assured of at least a bronze. – Rappler.com