Paris Olympics double-gold medalist Carlos Yulo (left) and tennis star Alexandra Eala. (PNA photo by Avito Dalan; WTA photo)
Olympic double-gold medalist Carlos Yulo and tennis sensation Alexandra Eala have been recognized as the Philippine Sportswriters Association’s (PSA) top achievers for June, following a string of milestone performances on the world stage.
🌟 Yulo’s medal haul continues
Fresh off his gold-winning campaign in the floor exercise and vault at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the 25-year-old Yulo further cemented his gymnastics legacy by capturing his fourth consecutive floor exercise title at the Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Jecheon, South Korea. He posted a winning score of 14.600 on June 8.
The pride of Manila also added three bronze medals to his name—in the individual all-around (83.633), vault (14.333), and parallel bars (14.166)—proving his all-around excellence.
🎾 Eala makes Filipino tennis history
Alexandra Eala blazed her own historic path, becoming the first Filipino to reach the championship round of a WTA tournament. At just 19, she advanced to the final of the WTA 250 Lexus Eastbourne Open in Great Britain. Though she fell short in a tightly contested match against Australia’s Maya Joint, 4–6, 6–1, 6–7 (10), Eala’s performance earned her a career-high world ranking of No. 56.
A graduate of the Rafael Nadal Academy, Eala’s rise continues to inspire the next generation of Filipino tennis players.
🥊 Donaire returns victorious
Four-division world champion Nonito Donaire Jr. staged a triumphant return to the ring at 42 years old, earning a unanimous technical decision over Chilean Andres Campos in their WBA interim bantamweight title showdown in Argentina.
🧠 Nouri tops Asian Junior Chess
Teen chess prodigy Alekhine Nouri, 19, shone at the Asian Juniors Chess Championships in Sri Lanka, bagging the gold in rapid and silver in blitz, while fellow Filipino John Jerish Velarde also made the podium in the rapid event.
🚣♀️ Dragonboat team makes waves
The Philippine Canoe Kayak Dragonboat Federation crew raked in a six-gold medal haul, along with a silver and bronze, at the ICF Dragon Boat World Cup in Inner Mongolia, China—showcasing the country’s growing dominance in water sports.
🏒 Ice hockey breakthrough
Team Philippines made history by claiming its first-ever gold at the IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s Asia Cup, sweeping all five games in Al-ain, United Arab Emirates.
🏐 Volleyball and 3×3 basketball shine
At the AVC Women’s Volleyball Nations Cup in Hanoi, Alas Pilipinas clinched silver, building on last year’s bronze finish and signaling the squad’s upward trajectory.
Meanwhile, the Gilas Women’s 3×3 Youth Team—composed of Kacey Dela Rosa, Kristine Cayabyab, Cheska Apag, and Cielo Pagdulagan—dominated the FIBA 3×3 Youth Nations League Asia Pacific in Doha, sweeping all six legs. The victory secured their slot at the 2025 FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup in Xiong An, China.