Philippine Sports News and Updates

There will be no Filipino judo bet in the Beijing Olympics.

Six Filipinos seeking berths to compete in the Games went home empty handed after losing their matches during qualifying in Jeju, South Korea recently.

In a tournament where the first three placers earn automatic berths to the Olympics, the best that the Filipinos could do were two fifth place finishes, courtesy of eight-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist John Baylon in the 81 kg division, and Fil-Japanese Tomohiko Hoshira in the open category

It was a bitter ending, pero ganun talaga ang buhay. It’s part of the game," said Baylon, who won eight straight SEA Games gold medal and competed in the 1988 Seoul and 1992 Barclona Olympics.

"Malalakas talaga ang kalaban at wala tayong magagawa dun," Baylon said.

Baylon, howver, is not totally closing the door on competition.

"I just hope to finish my career sa Laos SEAG next year."

Nancy Quillotes, a two-time SEAG silver medalist, meanwhile, wilted in the face of the powerful showing from the other competitors, settling for seventh place in the -48kg. Division.

Also missing their target in the tournament held April 26 to 27 at the Halla gymnasium were two-time SEAG gold winner Gilbert Ramirez (-73 kg), Jun Awakan (-66 kg) and Este Gayliwanen (-57 Kg).