16-8-2024 (MANILA) In the wake of Carlos Yulo’s historic double gold medal victory at the Paris Olympics, attention is now turning to the dedicated team that helped propel the Filipino gymnast to unprecedented success. Yulo, who became the first Filipino to clinch two Olympic golds in a single Games, has been lavished with rewards, but his support staff are now receiving well-deserved recognition.
At the forefront of Yulo’s coaching team is Allen Aldrin Castañeda, who returned to guide the gymnast last year after a stint as his junior coach. Castañeda’s reunion with Yulo proved fortuitous, as the pair’s synergy contributed significantly to the athlete’s stellar performances in the Men’s Artistic Gymnastics Floor and Vault events.
In recognition of his pivotal role, Castañeda is set to receive a substantial P10 million incentive from the Philippine government, as stipulated by the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act (Republic Act 10699).
While Castañeda’s contribution has been widely acknowledged, the role of sports therapist Lyn Hazel Calawod is now coming to light. Calawod, an Occupational Therapy graduate from the University of the Philippines Diliman, has been instrumental in fine-tuning Yulo’s biomechanics since the 31st Southeast Asian Games in 2022.
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Calawod’s expertise extends beyond traditional sports therapy. With specialised courses from Occupational Therapy Australia and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health under her belt, she brings a wealth of knowledge to Yulo’s training regimen. Her impressive resume includes certifications from the Australian Physiotherapy Association and American Occupational Therapy Foundation.
As the founder of NeuroBalance Therapy, Calawod’s holistic approach to athlete care has proven invaluable. Her experience working with diverse clients, including esports teams, has allowed her to bring fresh perspectives to Yulo’s preparation.
In the midst of the celebration, unfounded rumours of tension between Calawod and Yulo’s girlfriend, Chloe San Jose, briefly surfaced. San Jose swiftly quashed these speculations, affirming her friendship with Calawod in a social media post.
“There’s no issue here. Coach Lyn Hazel and I are good friends,” San Jose clarified, emphasising the unity within Yulo’s support network.
