Jenna Kaila Napolis is quietly making a name for herself as the icebreaker for the Philippines when it comes to delivering medals. The 28-year-old won the silver medal in the women’s jiu-jitsu -52-kilogram ne-waza finals last Sunday, August 10, — the country’s first at the 2025 Chengdu World Games being held in China.

Kaila admitted that the win was a huge morale booster for her. She said that it is proof that all her hard work in training has paid off.

“It is definitely a big motivation. Winning a medal here really gives me confidence and parang all my training is paying off. But I know there are still a lot of mistakes I need to work on in my game,” said Napolis.

Kaila admitted she was as nervous as any athlete competing at this stage, feeling the pressure. Rather than wilt, she shared how she transformed that pressure into excitement – her way of keeping her focus.

“Pressure can be scary, but I try to turn it into excitement instead. Yung sinasabi ko po sa sarili ko, ‘Okay, pangarap mo makarating dito. Pakita mo na laro mo.’ It helps me stay focused and enjoy the fight,” she quipped.

Kaila’s uncanny habit of delivering the first medals

This was not the first time that Napolis had broken the ice and delivered the first medals for the Philippines. At the 32nd Southeast Asian Games, held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in 2023, Kaila became the first athlete to bring home a gold medal for the country.

When asked about this unusual habit of winning the first medals for the country, Kaila attributes it to luck. As far as she is concerned, all she cares about is giving her best and bringing honor to the country.

“Haha, I think swinerte lang po talaga lagi na nauuna kami. Honestly po, I’m just really thankful every time I get to bring a medal home for the Philippines. It feels amazing to represent my country and show that we can compete with the best out there,” said Kaila.

Looking ahead, Kaila’s mission in Chengdu is not yet over. She will compete for a potential second medal on Tuesday, August 12, when she takes part in the open division at the Jianyang Cultural and Sports Centre Gymnasium.

Napolis is aware that she will be facing fighters in heavier divisions. Rather than worry about it, Kaila is approaching it calmly and differently.

“I try not to overthink and just focus on what I’ve trained for. I treat every match like it’s the finals and I try to implement my game first,” she explained.

One of Kaila’s proudest achievements

Kaila admits that her silver medal win at the 2025 World Games is something she is proud of, as validation that her hard work has paid off. She added that it was a milestone not only for her but also for Filipinos who gave their support to the Muntinlupa City pride.

“This win means so much to me. Hindi lang po para sa sarili ko but for all the people back home who support me. Proof po ito na kaya nating mga Pilipino makipagsabayan sa ibang bansa,” she declared.

“I’d say this is definitely one of my proudest achievements so far because it shows what hard work can do,” she added.

As a parting shot, Napolis capped the interview with a message of gratitude to the Filipinos who continue to believe in and throw their full support behind her.

“Thank you so much for always believing in me and cheering me on. Your support means the world to me. I promise I’ll keep giving my best in every competition,” she ended.