Philippine Embassy Recognizes Filipino Gymnast’s Historic Achievement

Photos courtesy of GENA

TOKYO – The Philippine Embassy recognized Carlos E. Yulo, Filipino gymnast, for his historic achievement as the first ever Filipino to win gold at the 2019 World Artistic Championships, during a dinner hosted by the Global Empowerment Network Advocates (GENA) on Nov. 3.

Yulo was accompanied by his Japanese coach Munehiro Kugimiya.

During the dinner, Ambassador Jose C. Laurel V and GENA President Jenavilla Bibal-Shigemizu, presented a certificate of recognition to Yulo for bringing “great honor to his country and the Filipino people.” A certificate of recognition was also given to his coach for his “absolute commitment to the success of Yulo.”

Ambassador Laurel thanked Yulo and Kugimiya for bringing pride to the country, and expressed his support for Yulo’s bid to win the first ever Olympic gold medal for the Philippines.

Yulo’s achievement has qualified him for the 2020 Summer Olympics, which will be held in Tokyo and other prefectures in Japan on July 24 to Aug. 9, 2020.

In the recent bilateral meeting between President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on November 4 on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Bangkok, Thailand, Duterte thanked the Japanese government for supporting the training of Yulo. He has been receiving support from the Olympic Solidarity program since 2018.

GENA is a non-governmental organization of Filipino volunteers in Japan. It aims to empower individuals regardless of gender, race or sexual orientation. It initiates programs and projects that are open to any member of the community to encourage the optimal and productive utilization of their talents and skills.

(Photo caption): Ambassador Laurel and Bibal-Shigemizu with Yulo and his coach, Kugimiya, together with officials of the Philippine Embassy and GENA