By Waylon Galvez
Even with the postponement of the Asian Jiu Jitsu Championship next month, it’s still going to be a busy year for the Filipino fighters with a number of tournaments already in place including the qualifiers for the 2021 World Games in Birmingham, USA.
Jiu Jitsu fighter Annie Ramirez prepares for training at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Vito Cruz, Manila.
Annie Ramirez, one of the top jiu jitsu athletes in the country, said they got word that organizers have already called off the Asian Championship in Saudi Arabia.
Though the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) does not affect the Middle Eastern country, concerns were raised with regards to participation of athletes from the different nations affected by the deadly disease.
“I think they’re not affected by the virus, pero ang naging concern yata is yung mga sasali naman. So baka konti ang makapag-participate kaya na-postpone yung event,” said Ramirez.
The said Asian Championship was supposed to be a qualifying tournament for the World Games, which is set July 15 to 25. With its postponement, however, Ramirez said the next qualifier is August in Thailand.
Three other important events lined up for jiu jitsu this year.
The club event in Abu Dhabi this April is considered one of the toughest tournaments worldwide, and although participants carry different club teams, it is also a good event for national team members.
“It’s a good opportunity kasi for athletes to compete in that event kasi ang competition malakas talaga. Magandang exposure and training ang mabibigay sayo,” she said.
Next is the national team trial next month, from where athletes will be selected to wear the country’s colors in different tournaments, including the World Games and the Asian Beach Games this November in China.
Ramirez said that while the Asian Beach Games is nine month away, it remains uncertain because of the Covid-19, saying: “Matagal pa, pero dahil sa China nag-start yung Coronavirus, hindi natin masabi pa kung matutuloy ba yun or not… depende siguro sa situation.”
“But hopefully, maging OK na lahat, hopefully matuloy yung Asian Beach Games,” said Ramirez, who, together with fellow jiu jitsu fighter Meggie Ochoa, took home a gold medal in the last Asian Beach Games in 2016 in Vietnam.
The two, as well as Carlo Angelo Pena, Adrian Guggenheim and Dean Michael Roxas all won gold medals in the 30th Southeast Asia Games here.
Source: Manila Bulletin
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