THE love life of Carlos Yulo and its connection to his Olympic gold medal win is a captivating story. According to the article by Christaline Meyers in Essentially Sports, Yulo’s victory at the 2024 Paris Olympics is accompanied by a narrative filled with dramatic twists and turns about his personal life.
Yulo had trained under Japanese coach Munehiro Kugimiya since 2013, during which time he won numerous gold medals, world championships, and earned worldwide acclaim. However, in 2023, Yulo decided to make a bold move – he returned to the Philippines and reconnected with his Filipino coach, Aldrin Castañeda, “aiming to find a balance between his intense training and personal life.”
This decision was driven by Yulo’s relationship with Chloe San Jose, a bubbly content creator. The couple had maintained a long-distance relationship while Yulo trained and studied in Japan and San Jose studied in Melbourne, Australia. Yulo’s choice to prioritize his personal life over his gymnastics-focused universe in Japan created a rift with his former coach Kugimiya and strained relationships with some of his family members.
Despite the challenges, Yulo believed that his love life fueled his competitive spirit and improved his overall well-being. He stated in Filipino, “Whenever I perform, I have a better mindset. Even if I fall, win or lose, I’m grateful.” Yulo proudly shared how his girlfriend, San Jose, helped him grow and discover more about himself.
Choosing love over the familiar comforts of Japan, where he had dedicated nearly a decade of his life, was not an easy decision for Yulo. However, he found happiness and a sense of peace in Manila, even as he faced numerous obstacles.
Yulo’s victory at the Paris Olympics was, after all, the result of his perseverance and ability to strike a balance between his life inside and outside of gymnastics. Mabuhay ka, Carlos!
