Despite being crowned World Champion just a few weeks ago, Filipino jiu-jitero Annie Ramirez isn’t resting on her laurels.
Annie Ramirez is back on training mode for the Southeast Asian Games, just weeks after being crowned world champion at the World Jiu Jitsu Championship in Bangkok, Thailand.
As she returns to the same place where she won her first world championship, Ramirez is eager to add to her medal case.
“Tuloy-tuloy naman kasi right after Worlds, two days off lang then dere-deretso na training para sa SEA Games,” Ramirez told media during the recent sendoff of SEA Games-bound athletes at Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Competing with a target on her back thanks to her own results in higher-level competitions like Worlds, she will be one of the athletes to beat in her sport.
Still, it does help her mindset knowing that she can compete with the best-of-the-best.
Faced with more competition in the biennial tournament, Ramirez will be sure to watch out for any possible shakeups.
“Siyempre, nakakadagdag ng morale. Mas high morale ako then mas added confidence din na parang na-conquer ko 'yung Worlds then next is SEA Games,” she said.
Shaking off pressure
At the end of the day, Ramirez only has herself to beat as she chases her goals.
Regardless of her achievements in Jiu Jitsu, Ramirez stays focus on the task at hand and to be better than ever in the sport.
“Somehow, hindi naman ako nagiging kumpyansa, or nagpapaka-kampante, in terms of preparation so I guess hindi naman siya makakaapekto,” she said.
“Natural 'yung pressure, hindi naman mawawala 'yun.”
Adding even more confidence to her bid is that she will be competing alongside her national team teammates. With more events for jiu-jitsu line up, the Philippines can expect a medal rich haul from them.
“I think, by this time mas marami kaming medalya. May fighting, may duo. So, I guess di lang kami magde-deliver ng medal dito, [pati] lahat ng participants namin for this SEA Games,” she said.
—
Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.