Jeus Yape glad to put taekwondo back in spotlight with Asiad gold

MANILA – Jeus Yape conquered the virtual taekwondo event at the 20th Asian Games, but the spotlight that followed his gold medal feat is a challenge he is still learning to navigate. 

The 22-year-old emerged as one of the bright spots for the Philippines in the continental showcase, delivering the fourth and what would be the final gold for the country. 

The soft-spoken Yape sat beside back-to-back Asiad men’s pole vault champion EJ Obiena and double Asian Games gold medalist gymnast Carlos Yulo during the homecoming press conference on Monday in Manila. 

Yape gamely granted multiple interviews even after the press conference, as his teammates beamed with pride seeing all his hard work pay off. 

“Medyo na-overwhelming po. Pero masaya naman po. Masaya lang,” Yape said of all the attention he’s getting following the Asian Games. 

While still adjusting to the wave of interviews and social media support coming his way, Yape is happy to put poomsae and virtual taekwondo back in the spotlight. 

“Super happy po ako na dahil nanalo po kami dito, super happy po ako na mas na ano po yung pangalan ng taekwondo po. Super happy po ako na at least mas marami pong mga Pilipino na tututok sa mga athletes po from our association po,” he said. 

The three ‘golden boys’ from Asiad also shared a light moment as they flexed their hardware and posed for pictures with their gold medals. 

“Super honored po na nakasama ko po sila dito sa ano po [heroes’ welcome]. Kasi di ko in-expect na dati lang po pinapanood ko po sila sa TV. Lalo na po si kuya EJ, pinapanood po namin siya nung sa Olympics po ng Tokyo po,” Yape said. 

“Nag-aano lang po kami sa TV nila mama’t papa, tapos napunta po sa, yung pole vault po. Sabi ko uy, may Philippines, Ma! Kasi pinanood po namin din siya. Hanggang din na po, sumunod-sunod. Di ko lang in-expect na makausap ko na siya dito po,” he added. 

Yape said he also got to ask advice from Yulo, since poomsae involves some similar skills and moves with gymnastics. 

“Kay kuya Caloy po nag-hingi po ng advice kasi yun nga po malapit po yung sport ko na freestyle [poomsae] po kay kuya Caloy. May ginagawang acrobatics po,” he shared. 

“Nagpa-help kung paano po yung mga technique niya po. Sa kung paano niya inaangat yung body niya po. Tapos binigyan na rin po ako ng mga pointers po kung paano mas stick po yung mga landing po,” Yape explained. 

Aside from his gold, Yape relished the opportunity to be the country’s flag bearer at the Asiad closing ceremony last Sunday. 

Yape is looking forward to celebrating his achievement with his family back home in Leyte, but he has to conquer another challenge of schoolwork before anything else. 

“For now po, maintain lang po ako ng condition po and continue training lang po talaga. Para hindi po maano yung performance po. So para anytime po na if ever mapili naman po ako ulit, ready po,” he shared.