Olympic double-gold medalist Carlos Yulo has been honored by Japan's envoy in Manila.
Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya on Tuesday night, Oct. 1, conferred on Yulo the Ambassador's Special Award in recognition of his contribution to the world of sports and to Japan-Philippine relations.
Yulo trained in Japan for his Olympic stint.
In his speech, Endo lauded Yulo's unwavering dedication and hard work in achieving this historic milestone for the Philippines.
He also noted how Japan has played a significant role in Yulo's athletic development, highlighting the potential for stronger bilateral ties through enhanced sports and people-to-people exchanges.
"It excites me to know that it was in Japan where Carlos further honed his mind and body into becoming a champion, through a scholarship that helped him on his winning path," Endo said.
Yulo, along with Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP) President Cynthia Carrion, expressed his gratitude to the Japanese embassy for its ongoing support in promoting gymnastics in the Philippines and nurturing promising Filipino athletes.
According to the embassy, cultural exchange and people-to-people ties are fundamental pillars of Japan's foreign policy.
It pledged to continue collaborating with the Philippines and relevant institutions in the field of sports, with the aim of cultivating more elite athletes who will proudly represent the country on the international stage.