Carlos Yulo and Alex Eala Lead Contenders for 2025 PSA Athlete of the Year

MANILA, Philippines — Gymnastics champion Carlos Yulo and rising tennis star Alex Eala have emerged as frontrunners for the prestigious 2025 Athlete of the Year award at the upcoming Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Awards Night.

Yulo, 25, continued to solidify his status as one of the world’s elite gymnasts following his remarkable double gold medal win at the 2024 Paris Olympics. At the 53rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Jakarta, he clinched the gold in the vault event and secured a bronze in the floor exercise. He also dominated at the Artistic Gymnastics Asian Championships in Jecheon, Korea, where he won the floor exercise title alongside three bronze medals in other events.

Meanwhile, 20-year-old tennis prodigy Alex Eala made history by becoming the first Filipina to break into the WTA Top 50 rankings after a memorable run to the Miami Open semifinals. Her breakthrough year was capped with a WTA 125 title victory in Mexico and a landmark tennis gold medal for the Philippines at the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, the country’s first in 26 years.

Their outstanding accomplishments have elevated Philippine sports on the global stage, placing both athletes among the leading candidates for the PSA’s Athlete of the Year honors, to be awarded at the gala on February 2 at the Diamond Hotel in Manila.

Other notable contenders include golfer Miguel Tabuena, who won the International Series Philippines tournament featuring international stars; pool champion Chezka Centeno, the reigning WPA Women’s 10-Ball world champion; and swimmer Kayla Sanchez, the most decorated Filipino athlete at the 33rd SEA Games with a total of eight medals.

In addition to the Athlete of the Year, the PSA will also present the President’s Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, Executive of the Year, and National Sports Association of the Year honors. Major awards, special citations, the Tony Siddayao Awards, and the Milo Junior Athletes of the Year will also be given during the event.

The PSA Awards Night remains the country’s premier annual recognition of sports excellence, bringing together the nation’s top athletes, coaches, and sports officials.