WHILE Carlos Yulo was busy putting the Philippines in the world map of gymnastics last October, a gymnast-lad of Filipino parentage was quietly basking in New Zealand under the glow of his own humble heroics in the sport.
Yulo was a virtual unknown until he won the floor exercise in the recent World Gymnastics in Stuttgart, Germany.
Before amassing that amazing feat, nobody knew that Yulo, 19, was training in Tokyo for five straight years under the tutelage of a Japanese coach.
Nobody knew, too, that Yulo came from a poor neighborhood by a creek in Manila’s Leveriza Street, a most unlikely place to uncover a talent in a sport generally regarded as virtually only for the rich.
Yulo’s feat in Germany automatically earned him a slot in the Tokyo Olympics next year. Now comes Kenzo Santayana, only 15 years old but already, he has scored spectacular victories in New Zealand that should instantly prod our gymnastic officials to enlist him in our present national development program as soon as possible.
Easily, Santayana’s early achievements should absolutely make him a cinch to join our national pool of talents.
Paging Chairman Butch Ramirez of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC). Go, kick some ass to ensure we grab this kid for flag and country.
For starters, Santayana, the eldest son of Archie and April (Isla), is presently the back-to-back champion in men’s artistic gymnastics in both the 2018 and 2019 New Zealand Gymnastics Championship.
He is very disciplined, determined and dedicated to his craft, electing not to skip the 2019 New Zealand National Championships last October 15—the day he turned 15.
He was amply rewarded, winning the Men’s Artistic Gymnastics Level 7, a premier event in the annual NZ national competitions.
Santayana went on to become the 2019 Gymnast of The Year for Levels 7, 8 and 9 in NZ’s Gymnastics Championships at the Trusts Stadium Arena in Auckland.
Before these sterling accomplishments, Santayana represented New Zealand last February in the prestigious Valeri Liukin Open Invitational in Dallas, Texas, US, topping his event running away.
In an interview with the Filipino Migrant News of New Zealand, Kenzo’s mother, April, said of Kenzo: “Kenzo has been practicing at North Harbour Gymnastics since he was five years old. This has molded him to be disciplined in how he takes care of his body, how he manages his time and how he deals with challenges that confront him as a student and as a maturing young adult.”
Santayana, a Year 10 student at Westlake Boys High School in Auckland, practices five hours a day and, definitely, that says a lot about discipline, dedication and determination.
His grandpa, Dan, the former president of Lexus Manila, who is in town with his charming wife, Joy, for the holidays, said to me last week: “Kenzo will be here in July.”
Chairman Butch and dearest Cynthia (Carrion, Philippine gymnastics president), take heed. Now.
Yulo’s heir apparent could be just around the corner.
THAT’S IT Best wishes today, December 18, to lovely couple Suzie & Mike Yngson, who are celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary. Here’s praying for more to come your way, lovebirds!…Gayang and Dennis (Umali) deserve our blessings and God’s graces, too, as they tie the knot today, December 18, at St. Augustine Church in Baliuag, Bulacan. Good life, good health and good kids to you, guys.