Two-time Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo vowed to fulfill his promise to thank his former Japanese coach, Munehiro Kugimiya, who molded him into a world-class gymnast.
In an interview during the Thanksgiving mass organized by the Philippine Embassy in Paris, France, Yulo addressed Coach Mune and thanked him for making his dream of becoming an Olympic gold medalist a reality.
“Hindi ko maabot ito kung wala ang coach ko. Tinulungan niya ko na magplano, tinuruan niya kong magsanay, sinuportahan niya rin ako sa aking pag-aaral. Sobra ang pasasalamat ko sa kanya,” he said.
Carlos also said he was planning to fly to Japan in the upcoming months to visit his former coach and present his gold medal.
“Early November we will go to Japan to thank Coach Mune and not only Coach Mune, the university and all the officials that are helpful… that they sponsored him, especially the school. It’s just a short visit to say thank you and then go back,” he stated.
It’s unknown whether Carlos would ask Coach Mune to train him again since the Filipino athlete was planning to join the Olympics in 2028, possibly with his brother Karl Eldrew.
It can be recalled that Thailand already tapped the Japanese coach to train their gymnastics representatives.