Baylon proving age doesn’t matter

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Philippines — Two-time Olympian and Southeast Asian Games judo legend John Baylon competes in his first event since coming out of retirement in today’s start of the Kurash action of the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the Laus Group Events Center here.

Baylon, 54, will spearhead the 10-man squad gunning for most of the 10 gold medals staked in the two-day event starting today.

The nine-time SEAG gold medalist is scheduled to compete in the men’s -81-kilogram division tomorrow where he is expected to rely in his vast experience being a veteran of two Olympics – 1998 in Seoul and 1992 in Barcelona – in judo.

It may be tougher though as he will be tackling younger opponents in a sport similar to judo but instead of throwing and grappling, the former only involves throwing.

Also expected to go for the gold are Lloyd Dennis Catipon, Estie Gay Liwanen, Al Rolan Llamas, Sydney Sy, Dither Joshuia Tablan, Helen Dawa, Bianca Mae Estrella, Jenielou Moqueda and Rick Jayson Senales.

A total of five golds will be staked starting at 1 p.m. today in the men’s +90kg, women’s -52kg, women’s -57kg, men’s-90kg and women’s -63.

It will be Baylon’s turn the next day in the -81kg with other golds being staked in the men’s -66kg, women’s +70kg, men’s -73kg and women’s -70kg.

The medal matches are set 5 p.m.