Judokas begin gold hunt in Mandaue City

After producing three golds in karate, the Cebu-based RP Team will shift its SEA Games campaign to judo starting today at Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex.

Leading the Pinoys’ bid in this Japanese martial art is the highly-fancied John Baylon, but the six-time SEA Games gold champion will see action tomorrow in the -81 kgs. division.

Taking charge of RP’s gold medal hunt today are Tomohiko Hoshina in the +100 kgs., Nancy Quillote in the -48 kgs., and Helen Dawa, who will be defending her title in -45 kgs. category. There will be four golds at stake.

Interestingly, when Dawa won the gold in the 2003 Vietnam SEA Games, the Philippine national anthem was sung a cappella after the Vietnamese organizers cued the wrong tape during the awarding ceremonies.

Completing the 16-man RP judo team in the biennial sports conclave are Franco Teves, Daniel Pedro, Aristotle Lucero, Gilbert Ramirez, Sidney Schwarzkopf, Elmarie Malasan, Rezil Rosalejos, Estie Gay Liwanen, Karen Ann Solomon, Ruth Dugaduga, and Erika Joy Ponciano.

Sixteen golds are at stake in the four-day judo competition, which runs until Dec. 4.

The Filipino judokas collected three gold medals, three silvers and five bronzes in the 2003 Vietnam SEA Games.