Annie Ramirez embraces bigger expectations after Asian Games gold

Annie Ramirez, left, during the PSA Awards.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Annie Ramirez believes winning also adds more pressure carrying the flag of the Philippine jiu-jitsu team.

The women’s jiu-jitsu team was well represented in the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Awards night as Hangzhou Asian Games gold medalists Ramirez and Meggie Ochoa as well as World Combat Games winner and Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Kaila Napolis were feted on Monday at Diamond Hotel.

For the 33-year-old Ramirez, the more you win, the higher the expectations.

That’s why she is striving to get better this 2024 as she competes in the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Thailand.

“Mas kabado kasi after Asian Games mas maraming expectations, mas maraming ilu-look forward yung mga tao sa amin in the future competition. Of course, sa AIMAG magde-defend kami ng title ni Meggie so mas nakakakaba siya. The more na nananalo ka, the more na nakakakaba kasi yung expectations sayo ng tao mas tumataas,” Ramirez said.

(I’m more nervous now because the expectations are bigger now after the Asian Games. More people are going to look forward to us in future competition. Of course, Meggie and I are going to defend our titles at AIMAG so we feel more pressured. The more you win, the more pressure because the expectations are higher.)

Ramirez, who ruled the 57kg class in women’s jiujitsu in the Asian Games, believes her five-year preparation for the continental meet was part of “God’s plan” as she was able to open her dream business venture, ARK Cafe, through the incentives she got from her gold medal.

The women’s jiu-jitsu star has been juggling her duties as the cafe owner as she jogs her way to practice from San Marcelino to the national athletes’ training facilities at Rizal Memorial Complex to keep herself in top shape for her upcoming tournaments this year.

Ramirez was honored to make an impact through her triumph with Ochoa in the Asian Games and the other achievements of the Philippine jiu-jitsu team, which boosted the development and popularity of their sport.

“Siguro somehow malaki naman especially the women’s community kasi syempre kaya ng babae mag-deliver ng gold medal sa Asian Games especially sa ganung klase ng sport,” she said.

(I think our triumph in the Asian Games and the other achievements of the Philippine jiu-jitsu team somehow made a big impact, especially on the women’s community.)