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By Eiroll D. Manalo, MTCJ
FIVE judokas, led by eight-time Southeast Asian
Games gold medalist John Baylon, left for Japan this week to attend
a 48-day training at the Tsukuba University.
Also attending the training program to be
handled by Olympic gold medalist Hirotaka Okada and world-renowned
coach Koji Kumata are Gilbert Ramirez, Nancy Quillotes, Jun Awakan
and Filipino-Japanese Tomohiko Hoshina.
Hoshina won the men’s +100kg bronze medal in
the Hong Kong International Judo Championships held on March 1 to 2
at the Wen West Sports Centre.
After their training, the national judokas will
proceed to South Korea for the Asian Judo Championships, an Olympic
qualifying tournament slated April 26 to 27 on Jeju Island.
The Philippine Sports Commission has allocated
P1.1 million for the team’s Japan training and participation in
the Asian Judo Championships.
Two-time Olympian Baylon hopes that the Japan
training will boost their chances of making it to the Beijing Games
this August.
“We have a good chance to qualify in
Beijing,” said Baylon, who saw action in the 1988 Seoul and 1992
Barcelona Games.
Baylon trained under Okada and Kumata for 58
days last year in preparation for the SEAG where he successfully
defended the –81kg title.
“Aside from Japan, countries like South Korea,
North Korea and Kazakhstan will be fielding their best athletes.
There are new entries from Qatar and Russia in the 73kg and 81kg
divisions. We have to be well-prepared for the tough battle
ahead,” said Baylon.
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