BY MARK REY MONTEJO
Filipina jiu-jitsu artist Dani Palanca overpowered Aysha Abdulla Zuwaid Alshamsi of the United Arab Emirates to win the gold medal in the 2024 AJP Tokyo Grand Slam in Japan last Tuesday, Jan. 16.
Palanca proved quicker, faster and stronger over her Emirate rival to top the -49kg purple belt category.
Before entering the finals, the Atos International warrior defeated Australian Anna Wang in the quarterfinals then beat Buyanjargal Nasanjargal of Mongolia in the semifinals.
Nutchaya Sugun of Thailand took home the bronze medal.
With the win, the 25-year-old Palanca vaulted into No. 1, trying Japan’s Yuka Okutomi in the Women’s Professional Purple 23-24 level after both collected 2000 points.
Meanwhile, Alliance International’s Alphonso Raphael Morales (-56kg) pocketed silver in the men’s gi brown belt category while David Mendoza of Lucas Lepri Philippines ended up 4th in the men’s -120kg.
Project Lifestyle Manila Raymond Varilla did not fare well, finishing 7th in the under -85kg.
