More SEAG medals in jiu-jitsu

An expanded jiu-jitsu competition is in the calendar of the Cambodia SEA Games in May with 13 gold medals at stake in the No Gi, Gi, duo and show events. It’s a radically different tournament format which Philippine coach Stephen Kamphuis described as something within the prerogative of the host nation but not a springboard to prepare for higher-level meets in the future, like the Asian Games.

In the 2019 SEA Games which the Philippines staged, there were 11 golds on the line in jiu-jitsu with seven weight categories (56kg, 62kg, 69kg, 72kg, 77kg 85kg, 94kg) for men and four (45kg, 49kg, 55kg, 62kg) for women. The Philippines hauled in five gold, three silver and three bronzes while Cambodia had a single gold from Jessa Khan in 49 kg. The gold medalists from the Philippines were Carlo Pena (56kg), Adrian Guggenheim (77kg), Dean Roxas (85kg), Meggie Ochoa (45kg) and Annie Ramirez (55kg). In the 2021 Hanoi edition (held last May), only six gold medals were up for grabs – three divisions (56kg, 62kg, 69kg) for men and three (45kg, 48kg, 62kg) for women. The Philippines topped the medal standings with two gold, two silver and two bronze medals. Placing first for the Philippines were Ochoa (48kg) and Ramirez (62kg).

In Cambodia, four weight classes are in No Gi (56kg, 69kg for men; 52kg, 57kg for women) and three in Gi (62kg, 69kg for men; 52kg for women). In duo and show, there will be three gold medals each for men, women and mixed. Ochoa, the reigning world 48kg champion, moved to 52kg in the No Gi event to be able to participate. The Philippines’ other world champion Kim Custodio found herself without a slot because the hosts struck out her 45kg class in both No Gi and Gi.

Before the SEA Games, Kamphuis will lead the Philippine delegation at the Jiu-Jitsu Asian Championships in Bangkok on Feb. 24-28. Over 30 countries are expected to participate in the seventh Asian tournament at Rangsit University where three international grand prix had been held previously. Kamphuis recently supervised tryouts for the Philippine team and 28 qualified from a pool of 72.

Tipped to compete in the SEA Games are Ochoa (52kg, No Gi), Ramirez (57kg, No Gi), Jan Cortez (56kg, No Gi), Marc Lim (69kg, No Gi or Gi, still to be determined) and Kaila Napolis (52kg, Gi). For duo, the players are Jan Navarro, Karl Navarro, Chris Gallego, Estie Liwanen, Meri Ann Bulaong and Andrea Divina. For male show, they’re Raymond Villaraza and Jayson Cayari while for female show, it’s Isabela Montanat and Dianne Bargo. Carlos Lee and Marycon Aves are in mixed show. Coaches are Allan Co and John Baylon for No Gi and Erwin Tagle and Harvey Navarro for duo and show. Kamphuis, a New Zealander, took over head coaching chores for the Philippine team in November 2021 and is a seven-time Open Weight Black Belt World Masters jiu-jitsu champion.

“I’m very optimistic and confident our athletes will do well,” said Jiu-Jitsu Federation of the Philippines board member Hansel Co on SEAG Live. “It’s because yung mga nag-qualify sa events ay athletes na nanalo dati. Maliban kina Meggie at Annie, there’s Kaila, a SEA Games silver medalist. Also, Carlo, a SEA Games gold medalist and Marc, a SEA Games silver medalist. May veterans and new blood coming in.”

The shifting of athletes to fit new events is a short-term solution to the Cambodia challenge. When the Asian Games come around in September, it’s likely only Gi events will be held with four weight classes for men and four for women. So that will entail another team configuration. At the 2018 Asian Games, there were six weight categories for men and two for women in ne-waza (ground techniques) jiu-jitsu with Ochoa the only Philippine medalist claiming a bronze in 49kg.