The world of sports is filled with excitement, glory, and the promise of greatness, but behind the bright lights and cheers lies a harsh reality that many athletes face every day. The physical risks associated with high-level sports competition are immense, and the potential for injury is a constant companion for those who push their bodies to the limit. Athletes, in their pursuit of excellence, are often required to execute complex maneuvers, where a single mistake can lead to severe consequences. Broken bones, deformed faces, and even life-threatening injuries like skull fractures are all too real possibilities. These dangers underscore the difficulty and bravery involved in the athletic journey.

The commitment to perfecting a sport requires years of rigorous training, where the line between success and injury is often razor-thin. Athletes constantly test the boundaries of their physical capabilities, driven by a desire to achieve the seemingly impossible. However, the inherent risks mean that even a slight miscalculation can result in catastrophic outcomes. For example, a poorly timed flip or twist can lead to devastating injuries in sports like gymnastics or diving. The sight of an athlete writhing in pain after a misstep is a sobering reminder of the dangers they face.

These risks are not confined to training alone. During actual competitions, the stakes are even higher. Athletes are under immense pressure to perform, often pushing themselves beyond their limits to secure victory. The adrenaline-fueled environment of competition can sometimes cloud judgment, leading to errors that might not occur in the controlled practice setting. The possibility of injury in these moments is heightened, and the consequences can be severe. Yet, despite knowing these risks, athletes continue to give their all, driven by the pursuit of excellence and the desire to make their mark.

Given the dangers that athletes face, their achievements in competitions should be celebrated with the utmost respect and admiration. When they succeed, it is not just a victory in sport but a triumph over adversity and proof of their resilience and dedication. Athletes like Carlos Yulo, who has earned two Olympic gold medals for the country, exemplify this spirit. His accomplishments are not just a result of talent but also of the countless hours of training, the physical risks he endured, and the mental fortitude required to overcome those challenges.

In recognizing these achievements, it is only fitting that athletes are showered with awards, incentives, and other prizes. Such rewards are not just tokens of appreciation but symbols of the broader acknowledgment of the sacrifices they have made. Generous individuals, organizations, agencies, and business firms play a crucial role in supporting these athletes, ensuring that their efforts do not go unnoticed. The recognition they receive is a reflection of the high regard in which society holds for their contributions to sports and the inspiration they provide to others.

The story of Carlos Yulo is a perfect example of why athletes deserve this recognition. His journey to Olympic glory is a testament to his unyielding determination and the risks he took along the way. His success brings pride to the nation and serves as a reminder of the extraordinary efforts required to reach the pinnacle of sport. The incentives and rewards he receives are well-deserved, honoring not just his victories but also the struggles and dangers he faced to achieve them.

Indeed, the path to athletic success is fraught with dangers, but it is also paved with opportunities for greatness. As spectators, we must acknowledge the bravery and dedication of these athletes, ensuring that their successes are celebrated with the respect and rewards they rightfully deserve. Carlos Yulo’s accomplishments are a shining example of what can be achieved through perseverance and the support of a grateful nation.

“THE disciples approached Jesus and said, ‘Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?’ He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, ‘Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven.’” (Mt 18,1-3)
Definitely, these words of Christ are a call for us to live what is known in spiritual literature as spiritual childhood. We may already be an old person with a lot of knowledge and experience, but we should not forget that we ought to be always humble and simple like a little child if we want to maintain our true dignity as children of God, capable of entering heaven.

Especially nowadays when things are quite complicated and confusing, this spirit of spiritual childhood will protect us from being swallowed up in our now chaotic world. It would help us keep clearly and strongly what the essential things in our life are, what the real purpose of our life is. It will help us to stick with God always rather than be entangled in our earthly things.

It’s also when we are simple and humble as a child that we would attract God’s loving care for us. In this regard, let’s always remember what Christ said once: “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.” (Mt 11,25)

We cannot deny that nowadays there are many things that can grab and steal our attention and can hook us into the dynamics of self-indulgence. There are just so many distractions that can ultimately lead us to our destruction. We truly need to be most discerning in the way we handle things, because they either give us good openings and opportunities or lead us to take sweet poisons.

And the secret is always to be closely united with Christ with whom we can put ourselves properly guarded. With him we would know what really comes from God and what comes from something else.

Let’s always remember that evil cannot stand on its own. It will always need the cover of something good to inject us with its toxin. We need to be clever, as Christ himself told us, without losing our innocence. (cfr. Mt 10,16) We should not be naïve. That is why we have to be most discerning of the spirit behind each thing that we handle and each event that can take place in our life. There is a good spirit and a bad one.

When we are with Christ, we would always be prudent in the use of things in general. There is always an element of detachment and of keeping distance even as we immerse ourselves in the things of the world. This detachment is for us to see if we are doing things according to God’s will and not being swallowed by the dynamics of worldly forces that can be very engaging and irresistible.

Let’s be wary always of the danger of self-indulgence that is clearly becoming widespread. There is a slippery slope toward it. For example, we can start going to the Internet for the legitimate purpose of getting information that we need. But along the way, we get distracted by something else that can appear to us as interesting.

We take a bite, and then another bite, until we fail to realize that we are already getting entangled and hooked. It is like being hijacked. We lose our sense of direction, and before we know it, we would already have forgotten why we went to the Internet in the first place.

Enhancing learning skills is vital for personal and professional development. By incorporating effective strategies, individuals can boost their learning capacity and retention. These strategies are undeniably effective to reach the highest potential for learning.

Embracing a growth mindset is fundamental for cultivating and enhancing learning skills. This mindset encompasses the belief in the capacity to cultivate intelligence through dedication and consistent practice. It empowers individuals to confront challenges with resilience, persist in the face of setbacks, and perceive failures as stepping stones toward personal and professional growth. By adopting this perspective, individuals are encouraged to approach learning as a continuous journey of improvement, where obstacles serve as opportunities for development rather than barriers to success. This mindset not only fosters a proactive attitude towards learning but also instills a sense of resilience and perseverance essential for navigating the complexities of educational and professional pursuits.

In the realm of improving learning skills, establishing precise and attainable goals plays a pivotal role in achieving success. Clear objectives not only provide a sense of direction but also serve as a source of motivation, enabling individuals to break down larger aspirations into manageable milestones for effective progress monitoring.

Active learning emerges as a powerful technique for enhancing learning skills. Instead of merely absorbing information, active engagement through questioning, note-taking, summarizing, and engaging in discussions elevates comprehension and aids in better memory retention. By actively participating in the learning process, individuals can deepen their understanding and cultivate a proactive approach to knowledge acquisition.

Recognizing and adapting to various learning styles is crucial in educational contexts.

Exploring visual, auditory, and kinesthetic methods helps individuals identify their preferred learning style. By incorporating visual aids, audio resources, and hands-on activities, the learning experience becomes more engaging and effective.

Implementing repetition as a learning technique is proven to be highly beneficial. Taking time to regularly review and revisit material strengthens ones understanding and improves long-term retention.

Teaching others becomes a powerful tool for consolidating knowledge. The need to explain concepts to others not only enhances personal understanding. Thus, it also reveals areas for one’s growth that can lead to a more profound grasp of what needs to be understood.
It’s important to take regular breaks during study sessions to stay focused and avoid burnout. These short breaks help improve concentration and productivity, allowing you to relax, engage in physical activity, or practice mindfulness.

Getting feedback from mentors, teachers, or peers is incredibly valuable for enhancing your learning skills. Constructive criticism provides valuable insights to help refine your strategies and boost your performance.

Self-reflection is essential for improving your learning abilities. By reflecting on your learning experiences, you can identify what works well for you and make the necessary adjustments to optimize your learning process. Sustaining motivation is crucial throughout the learning process. Finding intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, aligning learning with personal goals, celebrating achievements, and tracking progress are effective motivators.

Remember that improving learning skills requires the effective implementation of various strategies. Thus, embracing a growth mindset, setting clear goals, engaging in active learning, recognizing diverse learning styles, utilizing spaced repetition, teaching others, taking breaks, seeking feedback, reflecting on experiences, and staying motivated are all essential steps in unlocking learning potential and succeeding in educational and professional pursuits. Each of these strategies plays a vital role in the ongoing journey toward enhancing learning capabilities and achieving excellence in education and career endeavors.
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If you have any questions or would like to share your thoughts on the column, feel free to send an email to jca.bblueprint@gmail.com. Looking forward to connecting with you!

Unknown to many that Olympic gold medalist Carlos Edriel Poquiz Yulo started training at a tender of seven years old. He competed in school meets and shared happily his experience of failing to win in the Palarong Pambansa in 2009 at the age of nine years. He admitted of not having enough training and preparation when he represented the National Capital Region that year.

But he continued pursuing his dream of becoming an Olympic gold medalist someday. He had the support of his family starting from his grandfather who noticed his tumbling skills and brought him to a gymnastics tryout the Rizal Memorial Coliseum where he got the chance to observe other gymnasts. He was then introduced to the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines where he got formal training. It is perhaps an advantage that their family live in Malate, Ermita which is near to the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Since he began competing in the sport of his passion, he had won many medals from here and abroad. In his life story on the internet, his siblings where also into gymnastics which his sister was a member of the pep squad. This shows how their family was active in sports and athletics. They all got the support of their parents, chiefly their father Mark Andrew Yulo. Indeed, the support of his parents was vital in his journey to achieve his childhood dream.

He got a break in 2016, he got a scholarship from the Japanese Olympic Committee, a country known for its great gymnasts. The opportunity saw him moving to Japan in 2017 and got formal training from coach Munehiro Kujimiya. It was in Japan where he got the opportunity to pursue his college education. He eventually earned an associate degree in literature from the renowned Teikyo University in Tokyo. His stint in Japan was supported by the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines and the Japan Gymnastics Association.

Like other families, theirs was not a perfect one as they too have their share of misunderstand and conflicts. The family problem caught many people by surprise, many expressing their support to Carlos Edriel Poquiz Yulo who at one time ran into conflict with his mother and sister. Reports on social media platforms bared the money owned by Carlos Edriel Poquiz Yulo was spent by his sister and mother without his consent. That caused the misunderstanding as the personal funds of Carlos Edriel Poquiz Yulo were hard-earned money from his winnings. Amid the challenges and family problems with his sister and mother Angelica Poquiz Yulo, he was never distracted from attaining his childhood dream.

With great motivation from his first gold medal, Carlos Edriel Poquiz Yulo went on to win his second Olympic gold medal by garnering as score of 5.6 for difficulty, 9.20 for execution, 15.433 for vault 1, 14.800 for vault 2 with 0.0 penalty for a total score of 15.116 in the artistic vault category. That placed him in the annals of our country’s history as the one Filipino to win two gold medals in this year’s Parish Olympics, winning a second gold as his shining golden moment.
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