NAGOYA — Carlos Yulo has stepped away from his phone and social media as he prepares for the qualification round of the men’s artistic gymnastics competition at the 2026 Asian Games.
Yulo, a two-time Paris Olympic gold medalist, has limited distractions ahead of Monday’s competition at Nagoya General Gymnasium Rainbow Hall as he focuses on the individual all-around and apparatus events.
His longtime partner, Chloe San Jose, said Yulo has set aside his cellphone to concentrate on his routines and training.
“We always pray for positivity,” San Jose said. “Carlos doesn’t like to be disturbed when he’s training. Right now, it’s just him, his brother Karl Eldrew, and coach Aldrin Castañeda. Everything is going well.”
San Jose does not attend Yulo’s training sessions because of accreditation limits but continues to support him and his younger brother.
“I believe Carlos and Karl Eldrew will get the gold. I don’t want to say it 100 percent, but we are praying hard,” she said.
Yulo and Karl Eldrew have trained with Castañeda, physiotherapist Bethel Solano and assistant Josh Garcia as they prepare for the competition.
“Carlos and Eldrew are in high spirits. Winning here will boost his confidence for the World Championships in Rotterdam next month,” Castañeda said.
Yulo won two gold medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics and now seeks to improve on his results from the 2018 Asian Games, where he finished fourth in vault and seventh in floor exercise.
Karl Eldrew, a world junior bronze medalist in floor exercise, will also compete as the brothers pursue the Philippines’ first Asian Games gold medal in gymnastics.