Kaila Napolis salvaged a bronze medal for the Philippines in jiu-jitsu after beating Mongolia’s Tsagaanbileg Altangerel, 2-0, in the women’s -52kg division of the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 on Friday at the Aichi Prefectural Martial Arts Hall.
Napolis made the most of her second chance in the repechage, controlling the bronze-medal bout and securing the Philippines’ lone jiu-jitsu medal on Day 2 of the competition.
“Well, bronze medal, it’s an honor pa rin to win a bronze medal here in a big competition. I was happy I was able to pull the two points on this bronze medal,” said Napolis.
The 30-year-old Filipino bounced back after a heartbreaking 2-3 quarterfinal loss to Mongolia’s Mongoljin Gabaatar, a defeat that forced her into the repechage.
“Well, sobrang disappointed ko na nung second match pa lang,” Napolis said.
“So gusto ko talagang bumawi with the bronze medal. I wanna give it all. And thankfully, na-pull off ko naman siya,” she added.
Napolis’ podium finish provided a bright spot for the Philippine delegation after reigning Asian Games champion Annie Ramirez suffered an early exit in the women’s -57kg class.
Ramirez, who captured gold in the same division at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, was eliminated in the round of 16 following a loss to Thailand’s Nuchanat Singchalad.
The Philippines also saw Luigi Dy fall to Mongolia’s Davaadorj Munkhtur, 0-3, in the men’s -77kg round of 32. Meanwhile, Mark Constance Vergel was beaten by Mongolia’s Shinezorig Bulgankhuu, 0-2, in the same stage.
Romeo Arellano’s campaign also ended in the repechage after a 0-2 defeat to United Arab Emirates’ Amaar Alhosani.
For Napolis, however, the bronze carried added significance given the rarity of the Asian Games and the competition involved.
“Sobrang laking bagay. Siyempre, Asian Games siya. Every four years lang merong Asian Games,” she said.
“We’re a bit sad, of course, dun sa mga hindi nag-medal. But I’m super thankful pa rin sa support. Lalo na sa PSC, POC, and sa federation namin.”
The Philippines will have four more jiu-jitsu bets chasing medals when the competition concludes on Saturday.
Vito Luisa Luzuriaga and David Miranda will compete in the men’s -85kg division, while Andrea Lois Lao and Alenxandria Luz Enriquez will see action in the women’s -63kg class.
