FILE – Annie Ramirez during the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games 2017 in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. Photo by June Navarro/INQUIRER
MANILA, Philippines—Annie Ramirez, one the country’s top Jiu-Jitsu artists, will represent the Philippines in the 2022 World Games in Birmingham, Alabama.
A 2019 Southeast Asian Games gold medalist, Ramirez admitted that she was surprised that she was given the shot to compete in the prestigious event, where non-Olympic sports are contested, set for July.
“With everything happening around the pandemic, I was not expecting this, but God is working all things for your good,” wrote Ramirez on a Facebook post.
“The World Games is like second to the Olympics in our sport and I am more than willing to represent once called upon. The preparation will still be different because of the COVID protocol, but I can guarantee everyone that I will give it my all.”
Ramirez also asked for financial support that would help her campaign in the United States.
“I am also asking for financial aid to assist my journey in securing a victory in the upcoming tournament,” posted Ramirez.
The Philippines already won 11 total medals in the World Games with pool artist Carlo Biado delivering the country’s first gold in 2017 in Wroclaw, Poland.