The first national Jiu-Jitsu team which competed in the Regional Championship East / South East Asia in Hanoi, Vietnam dated June 3 – 9, brought home 4 gold, 3 silver, and 6 bronze medals
The team participated in Ne-Waza (ground technique) Jiu-Jitsu. The event is a new discipline in the International Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IJFF) since 2010 and debuted in the 2013 World Games. The event follows modified rules of the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation.
Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art from Japan. Used by Samurais, Jiu Jitsu evolved through different schools. One of these schools is Kano Jiu Jitsu, more popularly known as Kodokan Judo. When Judo was introduced in Brazil, Carlos and Helio Gracie experimented and adopted the system giving more focus on positions and submissions as opposed to Kodokan Judo’s preference for takedowns becoming what is now known as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Several tournaments were held all over the Philippines to determine the members of the national Jiu Jitsu team. Veterans Ali Sulit and John Baylon, both black belts in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Judo, are part of the national team. All members of the National Ju Jitsu team are seasoned competitors in BJJ.
The team brought home a total of 11 medals as a national team in their first competition overseas.
Gold
Annie Ramirez. (2 golds, division and open weight)
Ali Sulit
Hansel TioCo (Playing Coach)
Silver
Gilbert Ombao
Froilan Sarenas
John Baylon (Playing Coach)
Bronze
Gian Dee(2 bronzes, division and open weight)
Louann Jindani-Gutierez
Vanessa Lu
Kaila Napolis (2 bronzes, division and open weight)
Photo by Ali Sulit.
