Carlos Edriel Yulo in action during the men's floor exercise final in the 18th Asian Games artistic gymnastics competition at the Jakarta Exhibition Center in Kemayoran, Indonesia. (Photo by PSC Media Pool)
JAKARTA -- Carlos Edriel Yulo failed to win the gold medal in the men's floor exercise event of the 18th Asian Games artistic gymnastics at the Jakarta International Expo Center in Kemayoran here Thursday.
The 18-year-old Yulo, who topped the qualification ranking on Monday, finished seventh with a total score of 13.500 points. Japan's Kakeru Tanigawa was eighth (13.425).
South Korea's Kim Hansoi scored 14.675 points to clinch the gold medal. Chinese Taipei's Tang Chiahung scored 14.425 points to claim the silver medal while China's Lin Chaopan scored 14.225 to settle for the bronze medal.
Lee Chihkai, also from Chinese Taipei, was fourth with 13.950 points, followed by Kazakhstan's Milad Karimi (13.675) and China's Xiao Ruoteng (13.525).
The 4-foot-11 Yulo has been training in Japan under coach Munehiro Kugiyama for the past three years.
Meanwhile, the Philippines absorbed a 38-45 loss to China in the women's foil team quarterfinal at the Cendrawasih Room of the Jakarta Convention Center.
The squad of Maxine Isabel Esteban, Justine Gail Tinio, Samanthan Catantan, and Whilhelmina Lozada booked a quarterfinal berth after posting a 45-19 victory over the Indonesian team of Voryn Thalya Kiriwenno, Mery Ananda, and Nurul Aina, in the round-of-16.
"Despite the loss, I'm still proud of my young team. The players showed mental toughness, they put up a good fight against powerhouse China," national coach Rolando Canlas said in an interview.
The men's foil team - composed of Michael Nicanor, Nathaniel Perez, and Brennan Wayne Louie - will be up against Nepal's Mahesh Prasad Bhatt, Sher Singh Airy, Sanjeep Lama, and Rajan Raj Khadka in the round-of-16 on Friday.
In sport climbing, Gerald Verosil failed to qualify for the finals after placing 19th in the men’s speed event elimination round at the Jakabaring Sports City in Palembang.
Verosil climbed the 12-meter (37-foot) man-made wall in 10.66 seconds on his first attempt. He clocked 7.95 seconds on his second try.
China’s Zhong Qizin had the best time of 5.82 seconds among the 16 athletes who made it to the final round.
Iran's Reza Ali Pour submitted 5.83 seconds for second place while Indonesia's Sabri Sabri (5.94) and Aspar Aspar (6.06) ranked third and fourth, respectively. The 17-year-old Verosil has remained optimistic despite the loss.
“The best of the best are here, and the speed event is not really my best one. I will just do my best and enjoy myself nevertheless," the Singapore-based athlete said.
“It is really an honor (for me) to represent the country in the Asian Games. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me," Verosil said.
"You have to understand that the speed event is something new to Gerald and you have several World Cup veterans here,” said coach Jason Suaco.
“I hope he can come back in the bouldering tomorrow, which is really his event," Suaco added. (PNA)
