Meggie Ochoa wins Philippines’ second Asian Games gold

An emotional Meggie Ochoa celebrates winning gold in the Asian Games women’s 48kg jiu-jitsu in Hangzhou, China. -ASIAD POOL

HANGZHOU, China—Meggie Ochoa was running a high fever the past three days, feeling hopeless coming into her opening bout.

The two-time world champion shrugged it off and struck gold in the women’s jiu jitsu by downing Balqees Abdulla of the United Arab Emirates by advantage in the -48kg final on Thursday in the 19th Asian Games.

Tears of joy flowed as soon as Ochoa’s hand was lifted by the referee after their three-minute duel that rewarded Team Philippines its second gold medal in these Games.

“I have been sick since I arrived here. I tried all sorts of medicine to get well and prayed hard to give me the strength to compete,’’ said Ochoa, who uncontrollably wept on her way to the athletes dugout.

Meggie Ochoa beats Balqees Abdulla of UAE to win gold. –ASIAD POOL

The 33-year-old veteran grappler subdued Mongolia’s Odgerel Batbayar in the round of 16, submitted Kazakhstan’s Nazgul Rakhayeva in the quarterfinal and tripped Thailand’s Pechrada Kacie Tan, 4-2, in the semifinals.

Ochoa won the world championships in 2018 Sweden and last year in Abu Dhabi and had three Asian championships under her belt.

“My prayers got answered. This victory is different from the rest because here, I represent our country,’’ said Ochoa, a bronze medalist in the previous edition of the Games in 2018 Indonesia.

Ochoa clinched and immediately sent Abdulla, the current world champion in their division, to the ground.

The 19-year-old Abdulla repeatedly tried to extricate herself from Ochoa’s tight grip but was overwhelmed by the Filipino until the clock expired.

“This one is for our country. I hope my teammates win more medals,’’ said Ochoa.

In the final stretch of the Games, the Philippines now owns two gold, one silver and nine bronze medals.