Munehiro Kugimiya, the Japanese coach who helped shape Carlos Yulo into a double gold medalist at the Paris Olympics, has been enlisted by the Gymnastics Association of Thailand to assist in enhancing its training program.
In a Facebook post, the association shared that Kugimiya has been invited to work with the Thai national men’s gymnastics team, providing expert guidance and introducing new techniques until August 21. The post included several photos of Kugimiya with the Thai gymnasts.
Kugimiya played a key role in Yulo’s rise to prominence, coaching him for several years before their professional split late last year. During their time together, Yulo trained in Japan and attended university, which laid the foundation for his victories in prestigious competitions such as the World Championships and the Asian Championships.
As Thailand prepares to host the Southeast Asian Games next year, the country is looking to improve on its six silver medals from the previous edition in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and possibly convert them into gold. At the 2021 SEA Games in Hanoi, the Thai team won three golds.
While Thailand has seen success, Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines—where Yulo continues to dominate—have been leading in gymnastics across Southeast Asia. Yulo recently made history in Paris, claiming gold medals in both the floor exercise and vault, becoming the first Filipino to win multiple Olympic golds.