Gymnastics: Asian Games first-timers eye podium landing

JAKARTA, Indonesia – Carlos Edriel Yulo and Reyland Capellan hope to make a splash in their Asian Games debut as they plunge into action in the men’s artistic competition of the gymnastics event starting Monday, August 20, at the Jakarta International Expo Kanayoran Hall D.

“I am ready this time at gusto ko pong maipakita ang  buong makakaya ko para makapagwagi ng medalya para sa bansa,” said Yulo, who clinched a silver in floor exercise in the 2018 Doha World Cup in Qatar and a bronze in vault in Melbourne World Cup Gymnastics 2018 in Australia.

(I am ready this time and I hope to show my full capabilities to win a gold for the country.)

The 18-year-old Yulo, tagged as the prince of the Palarong Pambansa back home, also bagged a silver in vault in the Baku World Cup 2018 in Azerbaijan last March 18.

Yulo will compete in the individual all-around, horizontal bar, pommel horse, parallel bars, vault, rings and his favorite floor exercise.

Capellan, who won gold in floor exercise and bronze in vault in last year’s Kuala Lumpur Southeast Asian Games, also wants to show that he deserves the slot in the national team.

“Handa na po akong makipagsabayan sa kanila (I’m ready to keep pace with them),” said Capellan, who’s also on his first tour of duty in the Asian Games like Yulo. 

But unlike Yulo – who will have seven chances to win a gold medal – Capellan will only compete in vault and floor exercise.

Jan Gwynn Timbang, the other men’s artistic bet, will take his chances in vault, rings, horizontal bar, pommel horse, parallel bars and floor exercise.

The women’s artistic team is composed of Ma. Cristina Onofre (balance beam, floor exercise, vault and uneven bars), Carinne Leanne Bunagan (balance beam, floor exercise, vault and uneven bars) and Shieldannah Sabio and Marian Nicole Medina (individual all-around). – Rappler.com