BEST BOYS. Silver medalist Artem Dolgopyat of Israel, gold medalist Carlos Yulo of the Philippines and bronze medalist Jake Jarman of Great Britain (from left) take souvenir photos on the Paris Olympics podium for men's gymnastics floor exercise at Bercy Arena on Saturday (Aug. 3, 2024). Yulo gave the Philippines just its second gold in its 100-year participation in the Olympics. (Photo courtesy of International Gymnastics Federation)
MANILA – Carlos Edriel Yulo’s gold enabled the Philippines to beat all its Southeast Asian neighbors to the medal table.
It was the Philippines’ first medal in Paris and the first of any color from a gymnast.
A total of 58 nations were already on the medal board as of 3 a.m. Sunday – from leader China’s 16-11-9 gold-silver bronze to a lone bronze apiece by bottom countries Austria, Egypt, Jamaica, Lithuania, Portugal and Slovakia.
The Philippines was in the company of Argentina, Ecuador, Slovenia, Serbia and Uganda with a lone medal (gold) to show since the quadrennial Games opened on July 26.
The United States had climbed to No. 2 with 12-21-20, France to No. 3 with 12-14-15 and Australia dropped to fourth from No. 2 with 12-7-5.
Great Britian remained fifth at 10-10-12 while Asian nations Republic of Korea (9-7-5) and Japan (8-5-9) occupy sixth and seventh.
Yulo can add to the Philippine collection when he competes in the men’s vault finals starting 10:30 p.m. Sunday while EJ Obiena tries in the men’s pole vault finals past midnight Aug. 6, both PH time.
As of posting time, Aira Villegas was trying to reach the medal round against Wassila Lkhadiri of France in the quarterfinals of women's boxing 50 kilograms. (PNA)
