Twin podium feat?

Napolis eyes greater WG Glory

CHENGDU, China – Ju-jitsu standout Kaila Napolis tries to move heaven and earth to win a second World Games medal in the open division that is expected to test every ounce of her strength on Tuesday at the Jianyang Cultural and Sports Centre Gymnasium here.

The Muntinlupa City pride, who fell just short of the country’s first gold in the women’s -52-kilogram ne-waza event Sunday night, competes in the open category which will be a scramble of all athletes from Napolis’ weight up to the 63kg division.

If her plans align, the Filipina grappler could seek payback and meet her finals tormentor, South Korea’s Eon Ju Im, for a chance at bagging a second medal and giving the Philippine delegation, supported by Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, some more measure of pride halfway through the competition.

“I believe in miracles,” Napolis said while being wary of the challenging work at hand.

“I don’t know what will happen ahead since I will be battling other fighters in heavier divisions, but we’ll see what I can do for the country. I’m always ready,” she added.

Eighteen athletes from three weight classes – 52, 57, and 63kgs – will be competing from Round of 16 up to medal rounds set in the afternoon.

“Those in the 63kgs are surely tough to beat,” said Annie Ramirez, who gets her shot at redemption after an early exit in the 57kg division.

On a rather light day in competition venues for athletes and team officials, the Filipinos, who are backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, used the spare time to recover from the toll of Chengdu action, some visiting recreational places inside the Athletes’ Village, others doing the laundry, while some had fun watching the musical performance from Chinese acts Sunday night.

But hostilities will resume on all fronts the day after, with Hergie Bacyadan, the Paris Olympics boxer, returning to her national team duty as a kickboxer at the Sichuan Gymnasium.

The Kalinga Province native will test her mettle in the women’s 70kg division, with her foe yet to be revealed with the draw set Monday evening

Chezka Centeño, despite losing her last preliminary game in women’s 10-ball against Yu Han of China, 6-7, will advance to the quarterfinals at the Civil Aviation Flight University of China Tianfu Campus Gymnasium. She beat Easton Savannah of the US, 7-2, last Sunday.

Fighting for survival are Rubilen Amit and Jeff de Luna, who both lost their first games and will need a ton of effort against Shasha Lui of China and Oliver Szolnoki of Poland.