Annie Ramirez (right), 19th Asian Games gold medalist in jiu-jitsu women’s -57kg (PSC photo)
HANGZHOU, China – Annie Ramirez snared the Philippines’ third gold medal and the second from jiu-jitsu in the 19th Asian Games at Xiaoshan Linpu Gymnasium on Friday.
Ramirez beat Kazakhstan’s Galina Duvanova, 2-0 in the women’s -57kg finals.
On her way to the gold, she bested Vietnam’s Le Thi Thuong, Singapore’s Fiona Toh and United Arab Emirates’ Shamsa Alameri.
From the University of Santo Tomas where she won two Most Valuable Player awards and the Most Outstanding Athlete trophy from the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, Ramirez went on to become a national player and ruled several international competitions, including thrice in the Southeast Asian Games.
On the side, the 33-year-old Ramirez coaches in judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Teammate Margarita Ochoa (women's 52kg) and pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena are the other gold medalists of the Philippines.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., in Visayas for various rice distribution and other activities, posted her congratulatory message for Ramirez on X (formerly Twitter).
“Congratulations to Ms. Annie Ramirez for securing the Philippines' 3rd gold with an impressive victory in the -57kg women's Jiu-jitsu at the 19th Asian Games,” Marcos said in an X post. “Your dedication and triumph exemplify the Filipino spirit of excellence.”
As of posting time, the Philippine men's basketball team was playing for gold against Jordan -- just the second time since a loss to China in the 1990 Beijing Asiad that the Filipino cagers will fight for gold.
Another jiu-jitsu fighter, Kaila Napolis (women’s -52 kg), and the sepak takraw men’s regu team (Rheyjey Ortouste, Jason Huerte, Ronsited Gabayeron, Mark Joseph Gonzales and Jom Lerry Rafael) also delivered a bronze medal each. (With a report from Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos/PNA)
