Kim Custodio and Annie Ramirez
MANILA, Philippines — Jiu-jitsu legend Meggie Ochoa has retired from competition but reigning world champions Annie Ramirez and Kim Custodio continue to dominate the mat as they lead the Philippine team to high expectations at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. It will be the third jiu jitsu event in the Asiad after Jakarta and Hangzhou. Ochoa bagged bronze in Jakarta and gold in Hangzhou, both in 49kg while Ramirez struck gold in 57kg in Hangzhou. The only other Filipino jiu-jitsu medalist in the conclave is Kaila Napolis who took bronze in 52kg in the last edition.
Ramirez, 35, is a three-time world, Asian, Asian Beach Games and SEA Games gold medalist. She’ll drop down from 57kg in Hangzhou to 52kg in Nagoya. Custodio, 39, is a four-time world champion and 2025 SEA Games gold medalist who’s making her Asian Games debut in 48kg. Others in the Asian Games lineup are Jolly Co in 48kg, Napolis in 52kg, Alex Enriquez and Andi Lao in 63kg for women and Myron Mangubat and Santino Luzuriaga in 62kg, Marc Lim and Yman Baluyo in 69kg, Antonio Dy and Mark Vergel in 77kg, Vito Luzuriaga and David Medina in 85kg and Romeo Arellano in 94kg for men.
“Annie and Kim are very mature fighters at the peak of their game,” said Ochoa. “They have very high chances. There’s also Alex who got gold in the Asian Beach Games. Jolly, Kaila and Andi have high medal chances, too.”
Custodio said she’s confident the team will deliver podium results in Nagoya. “We have athletes who’ve been training and competing internationally,” she said. “It’s my first Asian Games so honestly, mixed emotions. I’m excited, nervous and very motivated. I know it’s a bigger stage but I’m trying to treat it like any other major competition and just focus on what I can control.”
Custodio said unlike the World Championships, the Asian Games are a multi-sport event. “The level is very competitive,” she said. “At the end of the day, it’s still the same lang naman. Step on the mat, do my job. Since wala na si Meggie, I think we still have a good chance to fight for gold.” Eight jiu-jitsu gold medals, five for men and three for women, will be at stake in Nagoya and the action is scheduled on Oct. 1-3.