By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Negrense Carlos Baylon, Jr. delivered an inspired performance, overpowering Islam Karimov of Kazakhstan, 2-0, before a massive and enthusiastic crowd, to claim the bronze medal in the 2025 World Games at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Centre Gymnasium on Tuesday, August 12.

The Negros Occidental’s La Carlota City native Baylon came out aggressive from the opening bell, scoring multiple takedowns and mixing in sharp strikes to dismantle his Kazakh opponent.

“I am just happy to win this bronze medal,” said Baylon, who previously captured gold in the IWUF 10th Sanda World Cup in Jiangyin, China last April.

“I hope I can win more tournaments and give pride to our country,” he added.

His victory served as a bright ending to the wushu team’s campaign in the competition, after teammate Krizan Faith Collado fell to Vietnam’s Thi Phuong Nga Ngo in their own bronze medal match earlier in the day.

Team Philippines now holds one silver and one bronze with five days left in the games.

Meanwhile, kickboxer Hergie Bacyadan also made her mark, defeating Valentina Keri of Hungary, 3-0, in the women’s K1 70-kilogram quarterfinals at the Sichuan Gymnasium.

The pride of Kalinga province recovered from a tight opening round, using her height and reach advantage to control the exchanges and secure a semifinal clash against Portugal’s Catarina Dias.

“I will do my best and study my opponent,” said Bacyadan, referring to Dias, who reached the Round of 16 in the Paris Games last year.

Dias advanced after a 3-0 win over Brazil’s Carolina Sousa Santos in their quarterfinal bout./ASC, WDJ