Yman Xavier Baluyo at the Southeast Asian Games in December 2025. Photo courtesy of Baluyo
MANILA -- After winning a silver medal in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games last year, jiu-jitsu athlete Yman Xavier Baluyo is looking forward to carrying the momentum when he competes for the flag again at the 6th Asian Beach Games.
Baluyo, 19, scored a silver medal in the 69kg weight class in the men's ne-waza in his debut in the regional showcase last December.
For Baluyo, a silver medal at the SEA Games level gave him more confidence in his skills in senior level competition, after shining as part of the youth team.
"Parang nagkaroon talaga ako ng eye-opener na kinakaya ko din pa pala na lumaban din sa adults. Kasi I used to be from the youth team and now na nakakuha ako ng silver from dun sa SEA Games, it gave me the inspiration talaga na parang kaya ko talaga ito, kaya ko talaga lumaban dito sa adults," he said in an exclusive interview with ABS-CBN News on Saturday.
The Asian Beach Games will be another first for Baluyo, where he hopes to make his mark and improve on his silver medal at the SEA Games.
READ: Custodio, Roxas bag golds as jiu-jitsu delivers six medals
"Para dito sa Asian Beach Games talagang madadala ko yung momentum na yan kasi siyempre may, meron ako napatunayan, may napatunayan ako dun sa SEA Games pa lang eh," Baluyo shared.
"And hopefully dito sa Asian Beach Games mas maganda din yung result nito since halos buong Asia na din yung makakasali sa event na ito. So lots more harder opponents pero much bigger motivations na, going for gold na talaga for this time," he added.
After the 2026 Philippine National Trials in February, Baluyo became stricter with his diet and doubled up his training following advice from his seniors.
"As soon as nakuha ko yung spot sa national team ko nagdiretsyo na ako ng training, nag-push through ako ng sobrang daming mga strength and conditioning sessions, nag-push through ako na tinaray ko na at least seven plus training sessions every week," he said.
"Talagang pinush ko na yung sarili ko to even greater heights and kitang kita ko naman yung progress ko eh and throughout the year I think makikita ko naman din yung steady progress na yan," Baluyo explained.
MORE EXPOSURE FOR JIU-JITSU
Baluyo will be one of the country's flag-bearers for the opening ceremony, alongside two-time JJIF World Champion Annie Ramirez.
READ: Annie Ramirez relishes opportunity as PH flag-bearer for Asian Beach Games
"Hindi ko kasi maiiisip na nandun ako sa harapan, daladala ko pa yung flag ng Philippines. So it's such a huge honor talaga na ako yung pipiliin, pati pa si Coach Annie Ramirez para sa honor na ganito," he told ABS-CBN News in an exclusive interview.
"It's such a huge win kasi it gives a little bit more exposure to jiu-jitsu as a whole dito sa Philippines. So I'm just really really happy na ako po ipinili para sa flagbearer," Baluyo added.
Ramirez earlier said she's glad to share the honor with Baluyo, as they represent the future and strength of Philippine jiu-jitsu.
In the 2016 Da Nang Asian Beach Games, the two gold medals of the Philippines came from jiu-jitsu – Ramirez and Meggie Ochoa.
Two of the country's three gold medals in the 2014 Phuket Asian Beach Games also came from jiu-jitsu – Ramirez and Maybelline Masuda.
MAKING HIS MARK AS A NEW FACE
Yman Xavier Baluyo at the Southeast Asian Games in December 2025. Photo courtesy of BaluyoBefore he makes his Asian Games debut, the SEA Games silver medalist is not putting any pressure on himself, as it is his first time in the continental tilt.
"Hindi ako nagkakaroon masyado ng pressure na ipakita ko agad yung sarili ko sa lahat because it takes time naman. Kasi I don't think I'm at the level na kung saan pwede ako manalo ng World Championships. I still see myself na parang new face pa lang and yet kahit na new face pa lang na pwede pa rin magpakita ng galang," he said.
"Of course may pressure naman. Siyempre nire-represent mo yung Philippines pero it's not to the point na kung saan nagiging crushing na yung pressure. So right now medyo free pa rin yung pakiramdam ko and that's good," Baluyo shared.
But while he is tempering expectations, Baluyo is determined to not go home empty-handed.
"Ang gusto ko lang talagang magawa is makakuha ng medal, mapunta sa podium na yun because kung sa SEA Games nakakakuha ako ng silver medal, pag dito sa Asian Beach Games nakapunta ako sa podium na yun or even makakuha ako ng gold or anything, that sobrang laking impact nun sa akin because it means I can actually fight. I can fight at an Asian level," he said.
Baluyo and Ramirez are among those part of the national jiu-jitsu team, which also includes SEA Games gold medalist Kaila Napolis.
The 6th Asian Beach Games will take place from April 22 to 30 in Sanya, China.