Philippines ju-jitsu bets deliver anew in Asian Beach Games

MANILA, Philippines - Once again, Filipino athletes struck hard in the ju-jitsu competitions of the Asian Beach Games, this time winning two gold, one silver and two bronze medals in the 2016 edition in Danang, Vietnam.

Margarita Ochoa and Annie Ramirez delivered the gold medals for Team Philippines in the rugged sport of ju-jitsu, keeping the country high in the medal standings of the ongoing Asian Beach Games.

The 26-year-old Ochoa, whose five-foot frame belies her strength on the mat, defeated rivals from Vietnam, Turkmenistan and Thailand for the gold in the women’s 47 kg division.

It’s the first Asian Beach Games gold for Ochoa, already a three-time gold medalist in the IBJJF (International Brazilian Ju-Jitsu Federation) World Championships since 2014.

“Each time I compete, I aim for the gold. I always think of winning. I always think positive. That’s always my goal,” said Ochoa during Thursday’s thanksgiving dinner for the team.

Ramirez, 25, bagged her second straight Asian Beach Games gold, turning back rivals from Turkmenistan, Lebanon and Thailand in the 55 kg class. In 2014 in Phuket, Thailand, she ruled the 60 kg class.

The Philippines won two gold and one silver in Phuket in 2014.

Ramirez said winning a second straight gold in the Asian Beach Games doesn’t mean it has become easy.

“Not because it’s my second win means it’s easy. Every match is a difficult match. We train hard for this – twice a day, six days a week,” said Ramirez, who competed as a judoka and landed fifth in the 2011 SEA Games in Indonesia.

“Then I shifted to ju-jitsu and found it more suited for my style,” she said.

For their gold medal feats, Ochoa and Ramirez will receive P500,000 each from the Philippine Sports Commission under the revised Philippine Incentives Act.

Ju-jitsu Federation of the Philippines, Inc. president Ramon “Choy” Cojuangco Jr. hosted the victory dinner at the Manila Golf Club and was joined by JJFPI vice president Jason Lim, secretary-general Samantha Cebrero and treasurer Maria Suarez.

Winning the silver medal in Vietnam was Gian Taylor Dee (men’s 62 kg) while bringing home the bronze were Jenina Kaila Napolis (women’s 55 kg) and Apryl Jessica Eppinger (women’s 62 kg).

“I’m always happy with our athletes win. It only makes you want to support them more,” said Cojuangco.

For winning the silver, Dee will receive P250,000 from the PSC; and for bagging the bronze, Napolis and Eppinger will each get P100,000.

Other members of the team that vied in Vietnam are Carol Pajaron, Lou Ann Jindani, Marc Lim, Froilan Sarenas, Gilbert Ombao and coach Hansel Co. Ochoa said since ju-jitsu will be part of the 2018 Asian Games calendar, the Philippines just found a new source for medals.

“We have the potential. It won’t be easy but we have the chance in the Asian Games,” she said during the affair also graced by former PSC chairman Richie Garcia and POC sec-gen Steve Hontiveros.