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Monday, July 10, 2006
Negrense judoka to compete in Thai invt'l
By Henry C. Villalva
NEGRENSE seven-time Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) judo gold medalist John Baylon of Binalbagan, Negros Occidental will lead an RP Team composed of eight judokas who will shoot for slots in the coming 15th Asian Games when they compete in the Chantaburi, Thailand.
The other members of the team are Gilbert Ramirez, Franco Teves, Sydney Schwarzkopf, Elmarie Malasan, Estie Gay Liwanen, Lou-Ann Jindani and Erika Joy Ponciano.
The RP judokas are expected to have their hands full as they will be pitting skills against opposing countries which are also sending their topnotch players in this qualifying event for the Asian Games.
"This is a very top competition since all the participating countries want to earn slots in the Asian Games in Doha, Qatar. But we have high hopes that our team members will be doing well, although out modest goal is actually just to win at least two slots," Baylon told Sun.Star Bacolod in a telephone interview Sunday.
"Aside from earning a qualifying slot for the Asiad I also aim to compete against some of Asia's best in this tournament because I know that if I qualify I will be competing against some of them also in Qatar," Baylon added.
Philippine Amateur Judo Association president Dave Carter earlier told newsmen he is confident that the Filipino judokas will do well in the Thai competition.
He said the Filipino players have been training hard and need exposures in order to increase their confidence to compete.
Baylon earlier announced his retirement from active competition, saying he will retire after the Philippines' hosting of the 23rd Southeast Asian Games late last year. But he was again convinced by top judo officials to see action in this year's 15th Asian Games.
(July 10, 2006 issue)
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