PH jujitsu team. Apryl Jessica Eppinger (extreme left), Margarita Ochoa (third from left) and Annie Ramirez (fourth from left).
ASHGABAT—Filipino grapplers will kick off the country’s medal bid Saturday as jiujitsu and wrestling start off the competition in the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games a day ahead of the opening ceremony.
Hopes are high that jiujitsu aces Margarita Ochoa (-45kg) and Annie Ramirez (-55kg) can deliver as well as Filipino freestyle wrestlers Alvin Lobregito (-57kg) and Johnny Morte (-68kg) in the event where 17 countries from Oceania led by Australia and New Zealand are also in contention.
“It looks like our athletes are in good spirits. What I’m praying for is that they don’t meet the world champions and Asian champions early,” said Philippine chief of mission and Makati City Rep. Monsour Del Rosario.
A total of 116 Filipino athletes from 17 sports will march during the opening ceremony Sunday night at Ashgabat Olympic Stadium.