Judoka Ramirez gains redemption

NAYPYITAW—Veteran judoka Gilbert Ramirez surpassed even his own expectations as he returned to the top of his class in the 27th Southeast Asian Games.

After eight years of heartbreak and disappointment, the 30-year-old Ramirez came here with doubts of his abilities to rule the men’s -73 kg—a division he dominated in Hanoi in 2003 and in Manila in 2005.

“I still can’t believe I got the gold,” said Ramirez, who forced his Indonesian foe to tap out in the gold medal match. “I was really surprised because I thought I was already finished.”

The two straight titles in the SEA Games eight years ago enhanced Ramirez’s stock with officials pointing to him as the successor to the legendary John Baylon owing to his technique and aggressive style.

But an injury forced him out of the 2007 SEA Games, before losing in the semifinals of the 2009 SEA Games in Vientiane, Laos and in 2011 in Palembang, Indonesia.

Ramirez’s was one of the two won by the judo squad, which also drew a sparkling effort from teenager Kiyomi Watanabe.

“I really wanted to win for the team,” said Ramirez, an Airman first class. “We need to lift the sport in the country.”

Ramirez came to life midway into the round, forcing his Indonesian foe into submission.

“I’m happy the coaches and team never gave up on me,” said Ramirez.