Carlos Yulo sees AI-assisted judging as new challenge on road to LA Olympics

MANILA – Double Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo said the 2026 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships served as a reminder there’s still plenty of room for growth, as artificial intelligence may take on a bigger role in judging.

Yulo missed out on the podium in his pet events, floor exercise and vault, falling short to defend his floor world title that he captured in 2025.

Despite coming home empty-handed from the World Championships, the double Olympic gold medalist said he has no regrets with his performance.

“Sa floor, I really tried kung ano yung kaya kong gawin at that time. And yeah, nag-try kasi ako ng new routine po eh to upgrade my difficulty. Sa training, 90 percent success rate siya. Pero nung competition na, hindi ko din alam kung ba’t ganun yung nangyari sa akin,” Yulo told ABS-CBN News in an interview on Thursday.

“Siguro nagmadali din yung reaction ng katawan ko. But yeah, overall, I gave my everything. So, hindi naman ako nag-regret doon. And [I] learned a lot talaga,” he added.

While he initially had reservations on the use of AI and its effect on athletes, Yulo eventually recognized it as an opportunity to raise his level of precision.

“At first, I was like, we’re human beings, you know. We’re not robots. But yeah, looking back sa mga naging performance ko, it’s really like just telling and reminding us na kaya natin talaga mag-perform like a textbook, you know,” he shared.

“We have to be precise and really tune that every little detail na kaya pa natin pagandahin. So yeah, I’m focusing on that now,” Yulo said.

The decorated gymnast also revealed that the increased emphasis on AI-assisted judging has prompted him to make adjustments to his routines, particularly on vault.

Yulo finished seventh in vault with 13.833 points, built on 8.033 execution and 5.600 difficulty along with a 0.30 penalty.

“Medyo malaking diperensya siya sa akin. Kasi yung sa first vault ko, yung preparation to landing, you have to tuck your knees na eh. Kasi hindi ko naman pwede mag-landing ng straight knees kasi wasak ko talaga tuhod mo dun. But yeah, yung small detail na yun, kaya naman siya practice eh,” he explained.

Instead of dwelling on the results, Yulo said he’s taking the experience as motivation to further develop his skills and make the necessary adjustments as he sets his sights on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“Hindi ako mag-i-stop sa kung ano yung result ko this time. It’s just giving me like really really good reminder to push myself pa kung ano yung kaya kong gawin na maganda as gymnast. So yeah, all good naman. I feel good naman… okay na din na ngayon siya nangyari. So I have siguro time to adjust,” Yulo added.

With the road to LA 2028 on the horizon, Yulo said the World Championships also gave him an opportunity to assess the competition and get a closer look at his potential Olympic rivals.

Following their stint in Rotterdam, Yulo and his younger brother Eldrew are taking some time to rest before returning to training for a busy competition calendar next year.

“Next year is going to be exciting kasi madaming competition and it’s going to be the qualification for the Olympics. So praying also sa lahat ng mga competition namin safe and ma-perform po natin kung ano yung mga pinag-prepare po natin sa training,” he shared.

“We actually finished already the plans for next year. And each year kasi nagpa-plan kami for the next year. I’m really grateful kasi tinutulungan talaga ako ni Chloe pagdating sa mga ganoong bagay and I don’t have to do it alone,” Yulo explained.

The double Olympic gold medalist expressed gratitude to the Filipino people for their continued love and support, asking them to keep Yulo and his younger brother in their prayers as they pursue their Olympic dreams.

“Maraming maraming salamat po sa lahat po ng mga tao po na nagmamahal at sumusporta sa aming mga atletang Pilipino. Pagdasal niyo po kami for the next year. Sana maka-qualify po tayo ng mas maaga for the Olympics,” he said.