The Philippines' golden girl and golden boy have finally touched base.
Fans are thrilled to spot Olympic gold medalists Hidilyn "Hidi" Francisco Diaz-Naranjo and Carlos "Caloy" Edriel Poquiz Yulo together again in one frame.
With the quadrennial Olympics being held in Paris, France, this year, 206 nations send in their premier athletes, in hopes to make history.
Among the Pinoy bets, Carlos has by far been the only one to secure two gold medals—both in artistic gymnastics—in what's regarded as a groundreaking accomplishment for Philippine sports.
Three years back, at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics, it was Hidilyn who dominated the scene, bringing home the country's first-ever Olympic gold medal for her performance in weightlifting.
Read: Hidilyn Diaz congratulates Carlos Yulo on gold medal win
CARLOS-HIDILYN REUNION
On August 8, 2024, Hidilyn takes to Instagram to upload a selfie with her fellow gold medalist in front of the Eiffel Tower.
Both are dressed casually in athleisure sweaters and glasses, with cheery smiles on their faces.
Hidilyn captions the post (published as is): "Salamat Caloy sa napakaganda at napakasayang pag-uusap!
"Basta proud ako sa iyo, at lagi kitang ipagdarasal."
She accompanies it with the hashtags #FeelingAteHaidieTalaga and #ProudOfYouCaloy.
In one of the 33-year-old weightlifter's Instagram stories, she and Caloy are also seen grabbing an afternoon meal together.
They are joined by Hidilyn's husband, Olympic coach Julius Naranjo, and Cavite Vice Governor Athena Tolentino, who is also the daughter of former Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Abraham “Bambol” Ng Tolentino.
While strolling the streets of Paris, Hidilyn and Carlos are interviewed by GMA-7 reporter JP Soriano.
Carlos relates being transported back to the last Olympics, "Nag-flashback po sa akin yung Tokyo Olympics po talaga, and then parang nagkita kami nung gabi na po iyon e, para kakain kami.
"Ayun yung time na nanalo siya ng gold medal kasi, and then pinakita niya sa akin yung gold medal niya po.
"Sabi ko sa sarili ko, ‘Ako din next time.’"
He adds: "Grabe yung naging motivation and inspirasyon ko mula kay ate Hidilyn, at palagi ko yun dala-dala, palagi kapag nahihirapan ako."
Visibly moved and overwhelmed with emotions, Hidilyn tells Carlos: "I'm so proud of you na na-overcome mo yun.
"Lahat ng challenges," she says teary-eyed, with her voice breaking.
"Nakayanan mo and congratulations. I'm so proud of you."
Read: One thing Carlos Yulo does before every competition, is it effective?
CARLOS BAGS TWO OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALS
MEN'S FLOOR EXERCISE
It was late Saturday evening, August 3, 2024, when the Philippines was thrust into the spotlight through Carlos, who won top honors in the men's floor exercise category at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Competing in front of an enthusiastic crowd at the Bercy Arena, the 24-year-old gymnast delivered a stellar performance, scoring 15.000—surpassing his previous scores of 14.766 in the qualification round and 14.333 in the all-around final.
His exceptional execution and difficulty scores were 8.400 and 6.600, respectively.
In the finals, Israel's Tokyo Olympic champion Artem Dolgopyat secured the silver medal with a score of 14.966, while Jake Jarman of Great Britain, who led in both qualification and the all-around final, took the bronze with a score of 14.933.
VAULT
Mere hours after his flawless victory, Carlos once again proved his mettle in the sport by topping the vault final.
He scored an average of 15.166, with an impressive handspring double front half-out piked earning him 15.433 in the first vault and a Kasamatsu double twist scoring 14.800 in the second.
His vault score of 15.166 was the same as the score recorded by Jake Jarman of Great Britain in the men’s all-around final.
Meanwhile, Artur Davtyan from Armenia—who won the world vault title in 2021—went home with a silver medal on around his neck.
Sealing the list of awardees was Harry Hepworth of Great Britain, achieving a bronze medal for his average score of 14.949.
HIDILYN CLAIMS VICTORY
Back in July 2021, Hidilyn made history as she clinches the gold at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics.
She famously set an Olympic record with a clean and jerk of 127 kilograms and a total lift of 244 kilograms.
Her victory comes against Liao Qiuyun of China, the reigning world champion and Olympic favorite.
At the time, Carlos earned unfavorable results, and finished 44th in the individual all-around and did not qualify for his favored floor exercise event.
The Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics was postponed until the next year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
READ MORE:
- Hidilyn Diaz, wala nang kailangang patunayan matapos di mag-qualify sa Paris Olympics
- Carlos Yulo takes home the gold in Olympic men's floor exercise
- Carlos Yulo believes long-distance relationship works best for him and girlfriend
- Meet Chloe Anjeleigh San Jose, Carlos Yulo's girlfriend
- WEDDING ALBUM: Hidilyn Diaz-Julius Naranjo team takes home another gold