Jiu Jitsu fighters Annie Ramirez and Meggie Ochoa are determined to contribute to the country’s medal bid in next year’s Indonesia Asian Games they want to train in the United States.
Ramirez said their federation has already asked the assistance to the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) for the approval of its US training.
“It’s going to be an important part as we prepare for the 2018 Asian Games,” said Ramirez.
If given the green light, they want to leave for the US the soonest as possible.
They are eyeing to train either in San Diego or Long Beach.
“If it’s approved, it will really help us prepare for the Asian Games, where we’re hoping to win the gold medal (in every category). So we’re really hoping our request gets an approval,” added Ramirez.
Jiu Jitsu will be played for the first time in the Asian Games on Aug. 18 to Sept. 2, and Filipinos are expected to compete for the gold – particularly Ochoa and Ramirez who are considered as world class fighters.
In the previous Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games (AIMAG) in Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Ochoa and Ramirez dominated their respective categories to earn raves from international coaches.
The 27-year-old Ochoa, a three-time world champion in the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF), defeated Dao Le Thu Trang of Vietnam in the gold medal game of the Ne-Waza -45kg.
