Munehiro Kugimiya (釘宮 宗大, Kugimiya Munehiro[1], born 1985[2]) is a Japanese gymnastics coach who was the longtime mentor of Filipino Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo.
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Native name | 釘宮 宗大 |
| Citizenship | Japanese |
| Born | 1985 (age 38–39) |
| Employer | Gymnastics Association of the Philippines |
| Sport | |
| Sport | Artistic gymnastics |
| Position | Coach |
Career
editCoaching Carlos Yulo
editKugimiya in 2013 would go to the Philippines to help train Filipino gymnasts which includes Carlos Yulo. Kugimiya would encourage Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP) president Cynthia Carrion to allow Yulo to join the 2015 International Junior Gymnastics Competition in Japan where Yulo would place third despite Carrion's reservations about Yulo's readiness to compete internationally.[3][4]
In 2016, Kugimiya became Yulo's dedicated coach with the gymnast moving to Japan,[5] which the Japanese coach believes would provide a better climate condition than training in the Philippines.[3]
In 2017, Kugimiya would advise Yulo to talk to his family when the gymnast expressed willingness to quit due to homesickness and lack of motivation. Yulo eventually decided to continue.[3]
After the 2023 Asian Championships, Yulo parted ways with long-time coach Kugimiya due to personal reasons.[6] The separation was cordial with Yulo expressing gratitude to the Japanese coach a year later.[7]
Under Kugimiya's coaching, Yulo would clinch four golds in the FIG World Cup series, six golds in the Asian Championships, nine golds in the SEA Games as well as two titles in the World Championships[8]
2023 onwards
editHe would be still be involved with GAP, remaining a coach in the Philippine national gymnastics team. He would start a sports clinic at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex with Filipino coaches as part of a cultural exchange program by the Japanese embassy in Manila started in September 2023. He negotiated the transfer of equipment used at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo to Manila.[2][9]
Kugimiya would be part of a gymnastics delegation at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. While having no chance to meet with Yulo in person, the coach would congratulate his former pupil for bagging two gold medals in the floor and vault.[10] During this time, Kugimiya is co-currently holding the role as an associate professor in medical technology at the Teikyo University in Tokyo.[11]
References
edit- ^ "「個人的な決断」 釘宮コーチ不在で挑む世界選手権" [Personal Decision: World Championships to push through without Coach Kugimiya]. Manila Shimbun (in Japanese). 7 August 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
- ^ a b Atencio, Peter (31 December 2023). "Yulo's former Japanese coach Kugiyima: New talent's coming". Manila Standard. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
- ^ a b c Go, Beatrice (2 November 2019). "How Carlos Yulo tumbled to success". Rappler. Archived from the original on 29 May 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
- ^ "PH gymnast Yulo eyes gold in floor exercise". Philippine News Agency. 22 August 2018. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
- ^ "MVPSF extends financial help to gymnast Carlos Yulo". ESPN. 5 August 2020. Archived from the original on 8 October 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
- ^ Villar, Joey (29 September 2023). "Yulo begins hunt for Olympic berth sans prized coach". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on 4 October 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
- ^ Dioquino, Delfin (14 May 2024). "EXCLUSIVE: Despite split, Carlos Yulo grateful to former Japanese coach for fruitful partnership". Rappler. Archived from the original on 6 August 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
- ^ Dioquino, Delfin (3 October 2023). "Carlos Yulo admits 'pros and cons' of coaching change after parting ways with Japanese mentor". Rappler. Archived from the original on 4 October 2023. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
- ^ "Munehiro Kugimiya launches Japanese Cultural Grassroots Project's gymnastic course". BusinessWorld. 6 September 2023. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
- ^ Payo, Jasmine (5 August 2024). "EXCLUSIVE: Carlos Yulo's former Japanese coach proudly watches from Paris Games sidelines". Rappler. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
- ^ "ICU student Carlos Yulo wins gold medals in the men's floor exercise and vault at the Paris 2024 Olympic Gymnastics Individual Finals". Teikyo University. Retrieved 7 August 2024.