It was last year when Filipino jiu-jitsu Aleia Aielle Aguilar became the country’s youngest world champion in combat sports.

Then on Thursday, Nov. 2, the six-year-old daughter of Alvin Aguilar — the founding father of Filipino mixed martial arts — and Maybelline Masuda retained her crown to clinch her second consecutive world title in the 2023 Abu Dhabi World Festival Jiu-Jitsu Championships at the Mubadala Arena in the United Arab Emirates.

Aguilar banked on experience by pouncing on UAE bet Maitha Earani and submitted her with an armbar maneuver with 12 seconds to bag the gold medal of Girls Kids 2 white belt 17kg category. 

“Great to see my daughter fighting and representing the flag this time. Her hard work, discipline have finally paid off in training all these years,” Aguilar said. “Last year, I didn’t see it live, so I am happy and we’re all very proud of you for making another historic moment for the Philippines.”

She defeated Brazilian Gabriella Kulzer, 4-1, in the semifinal round.

Aguilar added that her daughter didn’t blink against her opponents every time they tried to fight back. “She is always ready every time they move, every time they try something on the mat. She is fearless,” he described.

Aguilar, the president of Wrestling Association of the Philippines and founding head of Universal Reality Combat Championship and DEFTAC Philippines, arrived from Riyadh after guiding the Philippine delegation to a successful campaign in the World Combat Sports as chef de mission.

The Philippines won three gold medals courtesy of Kaila Napolis of jiu-jitsu, muay thai pair of Richien Yosorez and Kylie Mallari, and taekwondo jin Darius Venerable. The delegation also won five silver and five bronze medals.