It's time to give jiu-jitsu the attention it deserves in the Philippines.
On paper, the Philippine jiu-jitsu team is the most successful group in the country coming out of the Asian Games. The mighty jiu-jitsu squad produced half of the country's gold medal haul and a bronze courtesy of three Pinay fighters—Meggie Ochoa, Annie Ramirez, and Kaila Napolis.
Following their success in the Asiad, the three medalists are now on a mission to make the Philippines a jiu-jitsu stronghold. And that of course, needs backing from the government and the private sector.
For Ramirez, investing in contact sports will be beneficial for the Philippines.
"Doon po sa resulta namin sa Asian Games, sana maging eye-opener sa ating lahat, sa government or private sector na tumutulong sa mga sport natin na sana bigyan din nila ng pansin 'yung contact sport, jiu-jitsu," Ramirez said in an interview with One Ph's Power and Play.
"Filipino magaling po talaga tayo sa contact sports. Napakalaking bagay po, wala man kami sa Olympics pero yung ibang mga competition na existing para sa jiu-jitsu is nabibigay naman po namin 'yung (results)."
Ochoa acknowledged that there's still a long way to go for jiu-jitsu to be a popular sport in the country. But with the foundations already set, the Asian Games gold medalist knows the discipline will grow with proper exposure.
"Sana po kahit 'yung private sector makita nila na magandang mag-invest dito sa sports na jiu-jitsu kasi sa ngayon hindi pa po siya ganun kakilala pero sana lalo pa siyang makilala dahil dito at lalong dumami 'yung mga bata na magpa-practice ng sport," she said.
"Eventually parang maging 'yung Pilipinas makilala na isang bansa na talagang talamak 'yung jiu-jitsu. 'Pag lalong nakilala 'yung sport, lalong dadami 'yung medalya na makukuha natin."
Jiu-jitsu doesn't require a lot of equipment, but funds will be needed to send the athletes to top-tier training and camps abroad.
"'Yung training camps po talaga 'yung game-changer for me. First time ko po magka-exposure sa international training. Nag-improve game ko because of the exposure. 'Yung support po talaga ng government ang kailangan," Napolis added.
Only with limited support now, these Pinay jiu-jitsu athletes have already proven that the Philippines can compete and win internationally. Now imagine once they get the backing they deserve.