Carlos Yulo Bows Out of SEA Games 2025
CARLOS YULO – In a surprising turn of events, Filipino gymnastics superstar Carlos Yulo has confirmed he will not compete in the 2025 SEA Games in Bangkok, choosing instead to let his teammates take the spotlight.
Two-time Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo will not compete in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in Bangkok, Thailand — a decision backed by Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP) President Cynthia Carrion. The Filipino gymnastics star has opted to step aside this year, allowing his teammates to take center stage amid new event restrictions.
The host country, Thailand, has introduced a controversial rule limiting male gymnasts to compete in only one apparatus in the individual artistic gymnastics events. This change significantly affects Yulo, who is known for dominating multiple apparatuses in past competitions.
“SEA they’re giving only one apparatus. He [Carlos] cannot compete in all. He can only compete in one apparatus. Only one, they’re only giving everybody one [apparatus]. Because they’re very smart,” Carrion explained in an interview with ABS-CBN News.
She further noted, “Because if they give Carlos all, he’s going to win all. And nobody will win anything anymore. SEA Games, Carlos can win all the apparatus for sure. So they’re giving him only one, one apparatus.”
At the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia, Yulo showcased his world-class talent by winning gold in the men’s individual all-around and parallel bars, silver in the team event and still rings, and contributing to the country’s overall medal tally of eight — four golds, two silvers, and one bronze.
However, under the new restriction, Yulo and the GAP have yet to determine which apparatus he would have focused on if he had chosen to compete. “We’d have to check. Because he [Carlos] might not compete the floor. He might give it to one of the gymnasts. Maybe he will compete in the parallel bar, because he can do that also. So we have to check. We want to win also all the apparatus,” Carrion added.
Other Filipino gymnasts, such as Ivan Cruz (floor exercise gold medalist) and Miguel Besana (vault gold medalist), are expected to defend their titles this year. Meanwhile, Yulo’s younger sister, Elaiza Yulo, a multiple Palarong Pambansa gold medalist, is anticipated to join the national team soon.
For now, Yulo and his teammates will shift their focus to the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships scheduled from October 19 to 25 in Jakarta, Indonesia.
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