Jiu-jitsu fighters Annie Ramirez, Meggie Ochoa and Kaila Napolis (left to right) show their medals in the 2018 Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Jiu-jitsu World Tour in London. (Photo from Meggie Ochoa Facebook)
by Waylon Galvez
Jiu-jitsu fighters Meggie Ochoa, Annie Ramirez and Kaila Napolis continue to perform well against top caliber opponents as they prepare for the Asian Games in Jakarta-Palembang on August 18 to September 2 in Indonesia.
Ochoa won the gold medal in the - 49-kilogram division in the previous 2018 Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Jiu-jitsu World Tour in London, while Ramirez and Napolis bagged the silver medals in their respective weight categories.
Ochoa bested Spain's Luna Barea in the semifinals (12-2) and then edged Francisca Nelson of Indonesia in the finals (2-0).
"Jiu-jitsu is my worship to glorify our God to the best of my ability, whatever the result," said Ochoa in a Facebook post.
"This weekend, He allowed for this victory at the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Jiu-jitsu World Tour in London, and I am just so grateful and joyful, not just for the victory but knowing that He is in control and that His plan is perfect and beyond what we can imagine," added Ochoa.
Ramirez, on the other hand, won her quarterfinal match against Switzerland's Denise Huber (12-0) and her semifinal encounter via submission opposite Sayuri Toledo of Brazil but lost Caroline Prill of Ireland in the finals (6-2) in the -62 kg division.
As for Napolis, she also won in the quarterfinals against Sweden's Karin Wahlberg (4-2) and in the semifinals over Barbara Cariani of Italy (4-0) but fell to Elina Moestam of Sweden in the finals of the -55kg division.
Ocho and Ramirez, both gold medalists in last year's Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games (AIMAG) in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, as well as Napolis are expected to compete again in the World Pro Championship in Abu Dhabi next month, the final tournament for Jiu-jitsu before they go to training camp leading up to the Asian Games.