Caloy, EJ shine in June

World champion gymnast Carlos Yulo and fast-rising world No. 6 pole vaulter EJ Obiena made waves overseas during the month of June, feats that convinced the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) to name them as the month’s top performers. Yulo earned the PSA’s nod after winning three gold medals in the 9th Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships held in Doha, Qatar.

The 22-year-old-gymnast took first-place honors in the vault, parallel bars, and floor exercise apart from settling for silver in the all-around, enabling him to earn an outright berth in the World Artistic Gymnastics set in Liverpool, England, in late-October until early November.

The two Filipino athletes’ solid showing came right after they crushed the opposition in the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi last May.

Obiena was not to be outdone by his fellow elite athlete. The 6-foot-2 Italy-based pole vaulter registered 5.92 meters in winning the Taby Stavhoppsgala in Sweden just before the end of the month. He did a season-best 5.92 meters to best a field made up of eight entries, including his training partner and 2016 Rio Olympics champion Thiago Braz of Brazil.

The two Filipino athletes’ solid showing came right after they crushed the opposition in the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi last May.

The PSA’s regular citation of outstanding Filipino athletes is backed by San Miguel Corporation, Milo, Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Sports Commission, Amelie Hotel Manila, Unilever and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.