Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia also saw their respective athletes earning medals at the 2024 Olympics.

If you hadn’t heard of the Philippines’ breakout men’s gymnastics superstar Carlos Edriel Yulo before now, this year’s Olympics may have changed that.

With each performance and perfectly executed landing at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Carlos Yulo of Team Philippines ignited a surge of national pride. The 24-year-old gymnast, known for his precision and artistry, secured his place in history by clinching gold in both the men’s floor and vault events. Yulo’s triumphs not only made him the first Filipino male athlete to win an Olympic gold medal, but also resonated deeply with Filipinos worldwide, sparking raucous celebrations across the diaspora, including here in Malaysia.

Yulo has always been strong on his floor routines, but the vault hasn’t been his strongest apparatus, so for him to win gold is an incredible moment for the young athlete.

SOUTHEAST ASIA REPRESENTED

In the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Philippines emerged as the leading Southeast Asian nation in terms of medal count. The country secured two gold medals, both won by Yulo, in the men’s floor exercise and vault competitions. Additionally, the Philippines earned a bronze medal in boxing, with Aira Villegas placing third in the women’s 50-kg category. This success placed the Philippines at 22nd in the overall medal rankings.

Thailand also performed well, capturing a silver medal in badminton. Meanwhile, Malaysia and Indonesia each brought home bronze medals, with Malaysia finishing in the 62nd spot and Indonesia at 66th in the medal rankings.

THE PHILIPPINES’ GOLDEN BOY

Yulo’s remarkable journey began on a high note when he outperformed Israel’s Artem Dolgopyat, the previous floor champion, to take the gold on Saturday. He followed this up with another stellar performance the next day, beating Armenia’s Artur Davtyan and Great Britain’s Harry Hepworth in the vault final. These victories made Yulo the second Filipino to win Olympic gold, following in the footsteps of weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, who made history at the Tokyo 2021 Games.

Yulo broke down in tears after winning gold on the floor routine. The two-time world champion executed his routine perfectly, ending with a sure-footed landing to score 15.000 points.

This year, Yulo’s medals were the entirety of the Philippines’ haul, making his accomplishments even more significant. According to reports, the atmosphere in the Bercy Arena was electric, with the crowd – including Team USA’s gold medalist Suni Lee – cheering on Yulo.

However, the outpouring of support on social media was even more intense, with the Filipino community expressing their pride and admiration for their “golden boy.” Even Diaz herself extended her congratulations, acknowledging Yulo’s dedication and years of hard work.

“I am proud of you, not only because of your medals but because of the hard work you went through to achieve success, for yourself and, especially, for the country,” Diaz wrote in Filipino.

James Zarsadiaz, director of the Yuchengco Philippine Studies Program at the University of San Francisco, highlighted the significance of Yulo’s achievements, particularly given the challenges Filipino athletes face due to limited resources and funding.

“The countries that medal the most are the ones who have the most wealth, and their citizens have the most money and resources and networks,” Zarsadiaz explained. “It’s also not seen as much of a priority … For a lot of people in countries like the Philippines, it’s about survival. And to engage in something like competing for the Olympics is a complete indulgence.”

There is a lot of truth to this, and it makes Yulo’s double gold medal efforts in the Games especially impressive, and he will no doubt rocket to superstardom in his native Philippines, much as renowned figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu did in Japan.

MALAYSIAN RESULTS

Meanwhile, Malaysia’s performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics saw a mix of promising efforts and historic achievements, although the country fell short of reaching the podium in terms of gold or silver medals. Malaysia secured two bronze medals at the Games, however, both of which were notable accomplishments in their own right.

The first bronze medal came from the men’s doubles badminton team, comprising Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, who replicated their success from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. They displayed remarkable tenacity and skill, reinforcing Malaysia’s strong reputation in the sport.

Top badminton player Lee Zii Jia also won bronze on Monday night (August 5th), drawing a congratulatory message from the Prime Minister.

In addition to these medal-winning performances, other Malaysian athletes also showed strong potential. Track cyclist Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sahrom made it to the quarter-finals in the keirin event, and Nurul Izzah Izzati Mohd Asri, known as the “Pocket Rocket Woman,” competed fiercely in the sprint cycling events.

Meanwhile, diver Bertrand Rhodict Lises, making his Olympic debut at just 19 years old, demonstrated Malaysia’s growing strength in aquatic sports.

Despite not adding to their gold medal tally, Malaysia’s participation at the Paris 2024 Olympics underscored the nation’s resilience and continuing commitment to excelling on the world stage. The athletes’ performances also provided a platform to build on for future international competitions, with many young athletes showing promise for the years ahead.