House reso seeks to honor 2 Pinay jiu-jitsu gold medalists

THE House of Representatives adopted a resolution Monday commending two Filipina martial artists for winning gold medals in the 2022 Jiu-Jitsu World Championship held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

House ResolutionNo. 575 said that “through sheer determination, hard work and perseverance, Filipino Jiu-Jitsu athletes Kimberly Anne Custodio and Margarita ‘Meggie’ Ochoa successfully emerged as the champions in their respective weight divisions.”

Custodio, the 2019 World Championships bronze medalist, clinched the tournament’s gold medal by outplaying Thailand’s Kacie Pechrada Tan, scoring 6-4 in the final round.

Meanwhile, Ochoa, a two-time gold medalist at the Southeast Asian Games, defeated Vicky Hoang Ni Ni of Canada in the final match, scoring 2-0.

HR No. 575 was introduced by Speaker Martin G. Romualdez, Majority Leader Manuel Jose “Mannix” M. Dalipe, Minority Leader Marcelino C. Libanan, Senior Deputy Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander A. Marcos, and Tingog Party-list Reps. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez and Jude A. Acidre, and other lawmakers.

They said “the excellent performance and great strides” of Custodio and Ochoa would inspire young Filipino athletes and women to compete in a sport dominated by men worldwide.

“Their success puts the Philippines at the forefront of the fastest-growing martial arts sport, jiu-jitsu competitions,” the lawmakers said.

Four men and four women from the Philippines competed in the 2022 Jiu-Jitsu World Championship, held in Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi from October 29 to November 8. The Ju-Jitsu International Federation hosted the games.

Meanwhile, five-year-old Aleia Aielle Aguilar also won the gold after beating her Brazilian opponent in the competition, making her the youngest Filipino world champion in jiu-jitsu.