JAKARTA—Carlos Edriel Yulo and Reyland Capellan expressed optimism as they get their baptism of fire in men’s artistic competition of the gymnastics event that kicks off Monday at the Jakarta International Expo Kanayoran Hall D.
The 18-year-old Yulo, the prince of the Palarong Pambansa back home, said he wanted to give back to what the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP) and his country had given him in his preparation for the Games.
“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. He 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’ 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,” said Capellan, who like Yulo, are on their first tour of duty in Asian Games.
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,
Competing in the Women’s Artistic Gymnastics are 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).