2nd GOLD FOR PH. Margarita “Meggie” Ochoa beats Abdulla Alquees of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the women’s -48kg. class of the jiujitsu competitions in the 19th Asian Games at the XSL Gymnasium in Hangzhou, China on Thursday (Oct. 5, 2023). It was the second gold for the Philippines after World No. 2 pole vaulter EJ Obiena won the first in record fashion on Sept. 30, 2023. (Photo from the PSC-POC Media Group)
MANILA – Margarita “Meggie” Ochoa defeated United Arab Emirates’ Balqees Abdulla, 1-0, in the women’s -48kg division finals of the jiu-jitsu competition to give the Philippines its second gold medal in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China on Thursday.
Ochoa marched on to the gold medal match with a massive semifinal victory against Pechrada Kacie Tan of Thailand via points, 4-2.
After beating Mongolia's Odgerel Baybayar in the elimination round of 16, she came out with an impressive submission victory against Nazgul Rakhayeva of Kazakhstan in the quarterfinals.
World No. 2 pole vaulter EJ Obiena gave the country its first gold medal in record fashion on Saturday.
The Philippines has so far also bagged two silver and 10 bronze medals.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. commended Ochoa for bagging the country’s second gold medal in the quadrennial meet.
Marcos said Ochoa’s win is a testament that martial arts is ingrained in Filipino culture.
“Congratulations, Meggie! Your comeback in Women's -48kg Jiu-jitsu at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China not only earned us our 2nd gold medal but also proved that martial arts mastery runs deep in our veins,” he said in an X post. (with a report from Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos/PNA)
