Annie Ramirez bags 3rd gold as jiu-jitsu shines bright for Philippines at Asian Games
3 min read
Jiu-jitsu has become a beacon of hope for the Philippines at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, as Annie Ramirez secured the nation’s third gold medal, marking the second in the discipline.
Her extraordinary victory unfolded in the women’s -57kg category at the Xiaoshan Linpu Gymnasium on Friday, October 6.
In a remarkable display of skill and determination, Ramirez clinched victory with a 2-0 win over Kazakhstan’s Galina Duvanova in the final, concluding an unbeaten streak that included three earlier bouts. This triumphant journey added to her impressive record as a three-time Southeast Asian Games champion.
Ramirez’s path to gold featured impressive victories over formidable opponents. She overcame Vietnam’s Le Thi Thuong, Singapore’s Fiona Toh, and the UAE’s Shamsa Alameri in the earlier rounds, securing her well-deserved spot in the final.
Her victory came just one day after fellow jiu-jitsu standout Meggie Ochoa achieved her gold medal. EJ Obiena broke through as the first Filipino gold medalist in the competition on Saturday, September 30.
Jiu-jitsu has contributed three medals to the Philippines’ tally at the 19th Asian Games.
Ramirez, on her Facebook, posted: “THANK YOU MESSAGE TO EVERYONE na nag greet sa akin in personal or socmed man. Hindi ko na po kayo maisa-isa since napakadami 😅 pero nababasa ko po lahat at ikinagagalak ko lahat ng pag bati (I thank everyone who messaged me and greeted me personally or through social media. I can no longer message every one as there are too many. But I’ve read all your messages and I am happy with all your greetings). “
Kaila Napolis, who earned recognition for securing the Philippines’ first gold in the previous Southeast Asian Games held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in May, continued to make her mark on the international stage. In the women’s -52kg category, Napolis showcased her skills by capturing the bronze.
In a hard-fought contest, Napolis emerged victorious with a 4-2 win over UAE’s Hessa Alshamsi. Her remarkable journey through the competition added to the growing list of achievements for Philippine jiu-jitsu, further establishing its prominence in the realm of Asian sports.
