Not even a nearly two-hour downpour could stop jiu-jitsu star Annie Ramirez from claiming her third straight Asian Beach Games gold medal, after defeating compatriot Emily Thomas via advantage in the women’s -57kg final Friday night at the Athletes’ Village in Sanya, China.
Ramirez and Thomas secured an all-Filipino matchup for the gold in the sixth edition of the Asian Beach Games at the Sanya Bay Yuhai Club in the afternoon, before torrential rains rendered the venue unusable.
(C) POC-PSC Media Group
But the Philippines, backed by Philippine Olympic Committee President Bambol Tolentino and Philippine Sports Commission chairman Pato Gregorio, would not be denied.
The Pinay grapplers eventually faced off in an indoor setting, delivering the country’s second gold of the day after Leonard Grospe’s victory in the high jump.
Kaila Napolis earlier added a silver on Thursday.
(C) POC-PSC Media Group
Heading into the final, Ramirez survived a tough test against Mongolia’s Shurentsetseg Ehnkhmunkh, grinding out a 5-2 win on points after the full five minutes.
Thomas, meanwhile, battled UAE’s Shamsa Alameri in a tight 4-2 semifinal win to secure her place in the all-Filipino gold medal match.
“Malaking bagay na na-close out na namin ni Emily iyong division, so at least nakabawas iyon sa anxiety sa mga nangyari kanina,” Ramirez, one of the country’s flag-bearers in the Games in this resort city, said.
