Fitness
John Baylon, 42
ACHIEVEMENT
Seven-time gold medalist, Southeast Asian Games; Bronze, World Masters Judo Championship 2003; Four-time ASIAN Judo champion in four weight divisions
ADVICE: BEAT YOURSELF THEN YOUR OPPONENT
As if 15 years of judo training (mostly spent in Kudokan, Japan) weren't enough, Baylon has also earned his brown belt in Brazilian jiujitsu. His drive hasn't wavered despite age and injuries. "If you push yourself, age won't matter," he says. "Minsan kasi nagpapatalo tayo sa sarili natin. Kung tutuusin kaya pa talaga yan ng katawan—kaya lang ikaw mismo, give up na sa sarili. Kapag tinalo ka ng sarili mo, wala na."
Baylon adopts this no-fear attitude. He recalls winning against a 19-year-old Korean who had quipped upon their first meeting, "Wow, like my father." Baylon defies expectation by betting on himself when others won't. The harder you work, the better your chances at success because, "you've prepared well for that opportunity." He also subscribes to fighting to the finish. "Sa judo, hindi mo alam ang mangyayari. Kahit one second na lang, pwede ka pa manalo o matalo," explains Baylon. "Maraming umiyak sa one second na yan. Hangga't may oras sa amin, may pag-asa."
TRAINING TIP: PLAY SMART AND STEADY
Baylon strongly advises against crash diets as it changes your performance. "You become less than 100 percent," he says of weight loss. He's not one to favor quick fixes over careful strategy.
Physical limitations are part of getting older, so you need to know how to make spot adjustments. "Diskarte lang," he says of surviving his sport's five-minute skirmishes. "You rely on technique. If your foot hurts from one move, then go for the other option."
For Baylon, time also becomes precious. He doesn't like it wasted. "Napansin ko pag nagpupunta ako sa gym, pati sa judo, mas mahaba pa ang time nila sa kwentuhan kesa dun sa talagang program and training nila," says Baylon. "Laro na (sports) nilalaro pa natin. Kaya minsan yung improvement natin mabagal."
FINAL WORD ON WISDOM:
"In my 20s, I was too aggressive. Pero yung diskarte at gulang, mahina. Di pa ako na-injure noon, kaya asa iyo pa ang lahat. Ngayon halos lahat ng injury meron ako. Hindi mo na pwedeng tapusin agad ang laban. Nag-iisip ka na. Pag may chance, tapusin agad. Pero pagnakita mong alanganin, hindi ka dapat pasok ng pasok basta-basta. Utak lang yan."
» Fitness archive
Men's Health Philippines - December 2006 Issue
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