By MARK REY MONTEJO
Birthday boy Carlos Baylon Jr. is brimming with pride and optimism about Team Philippines’ medal hopes – both in sanda and taolu – when the country hosts the 18th World Wushu Championships in 2027.
Baylon, a 28-year-old bronze winner in the men’s 56kg sanda event of the 2025 World Games in China, is going to spearhead the Filipino bets in the biennial meet that was first held in 1991 and has long been dominated by the Chinese.
“Talagang pagbubutihan namin, and excited po kaming mapakita sa mga kababayan natin ‘yong kaya po nating gawin,” said Baylon during Tuesday’s Tuesday’s PSA Forum presented by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, Smart/PLDT, and the country’s 24/7 sports app ArenaPlus.
“Naniniwala po ako na kaya nating mag-podium do’n, magsisikap po kami sa training para makuha po namin ‘yong mga gold pag nag-host na tayo ng tournament,” he added.
The Philippines plans to asemble more than 70 athletes in the global joust which will cater two to four thousands participants from 80 countries across the globe.
Apart from China, also fancied to do well in the event are Iran, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Russia, Vietnam, Macau, and Indonesia.
“Malakas po tayo sa body build, sa technical, laban tayo,” he continued.
Unfortunately, the pride of La Carlota, Negros Occidental wouldn’t able to flash his brilliance in the upcoming 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand this December as the regional tiff opted to open two weight classes in 65kg and 70kg.
But, good thing for him, the 20th Asian Games, which doesn’t have a wushu qualifier, in Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya, Japan, will be having the sport next year, just in time for the worlds.
For Wushu Federation of the Philippines (WFP) secretary-general Julian Camacho, the Philippines could give their rivals a hard time and perhaps, can bag five or six gold medals, while Baylon knew him and his compatriot carry an edge in the Chinese martial art in terms of body build and technicalities.
“In fact sa world, puro Asian ang naglalaban, especially sa mga lower weight category, ang European more on heavyweights, kaya malaki ang pagasa natin [mag-medal],” said Camacho.
“Talagang todo suporta kami, hindi lang kay [Carlos] pati sa kanilang lahat, they can deliver,” added president Freddie Jalasco Jr.
Since joining the world wushu champs, the Philippines has bagged 18 golds, 23 silvers and 34 bronzes that include two silver and one bronze medals from notable Filipina wushu bet Agatha Wong.
