The 21-year-old dynamo fell short for at least a third-place finish after tallying an average score of 14.716 in two attempts, falling short of a fraction of a point at 0.017 from bronze medalist Artur Davtyan of Armenia.

The 4-foot-11 dynamo recorded a 14.566 in his first attempt after drawing a -0.1 penalty for his landing, but he rebounded with an impressive 14.866 in the second attempt, the highest among all scores for the second vault. 

However, Yulo’s average score was not enough to clinch a podium finish.

South Korea’s Shin Jeahwan, who made a debut in the Olympic Games, took home the gold after edging out silver medalist and gymnastics veteran Denis Abliazin of Russia as he registered a higher score in an attempt.

Both gymnasts recorded an average of 14.783, but Shin scored 14.833 in the second attempt, which was higher than Abliazin’s 14.800.

Though he failed to bring home a medal, the Filipino gymnast flashed a big smile after seeing his final score.

“Sobrang lapit ko na po, pero hindi ko pa naabot,” said Yulo at the end of the men’s vault finals. “Nakakapang-hinayang din po kasi ang ganda po ng practice ko tapos pagdating po dito, naging ganoon.”

“May chance din po sana akong makakuha ng medal if hindi po ako lumagpas sa linya,” he said. “Kasi ang ganda po ng second vault ko eh, sa first vault lang po ako nagkamali.“

Yulo has been away with his family in the Philippines to stay in Japan to continue his training. Despite wanting to go home after the Summer Games, he needs to stay in Japan as he is set to take action in a tournament next month.

“Gusto ko na nga pong umuwi, gusto ko na nga pong bumawi. Gusto kong magpalakas,” he said. “Pero hindi po muna ako makakauwi sa Pilipinas dahil may competition po ako next month.”

The Manila-born athlete believes this defeat is just a temporary setback and promised to train harder as he will come back stronger in his Olympic gold medal quest. 

“Feeling ko po may igagaling pa ako. Next target ko po ang Paris 2024. Pero next time po, di po ako sasali na para makalaro lang, kailangan sa pagbalik ko magka-medal na ako. Hindi po ako susuko,” he vowed.