THE Philippines is sending not just one, but two world jiu-jitsu champions in next month’s Asian Games (Asiad) in Nagoya, Japan.

The battle-scarred Annie Ramirez and Kimberly Custodio, who pocketed their third and fourth world title in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, respectively, early this month, will lead the 15-strong squad eyeing nothing but Asiad glory.

The 35-year-old Ms. Ramirez is bent on snaring her second gold in a row in the quadrennial meet after reigning supreme in Hangzhou, China three years ago.

But she would have to change weight classes and go down from her original weight class at -57 kilograms (kg) to -52kg where countrywoman Kaila Napolis is also competing.

Same with the 39-year-old Ms. Custodio, who will go up to -48kg from -45kg where she was untouchable in Abu Dhabi.

Interestingly, however, for Ms. Custodio, while already decorated, the Nagoya joust will be her debut Asiad and she hopes to make it memorable the way she did when she had a smashing Southeast Asian Games debut last year in Thailand where she struck gold.

She will compete with teammate Jolly Gonzales Co in the same division.

Alexandria Luz Enriquez, who snared the Asian Beach Games gold in Sanya, China last April, is also wading into the battle in the women’s 63kg alongside Andrea Lois Lao.

Also waging war in Nagoya are Myron Myles Mangubat and Santino Luis Luzuriaga (-62kg), Marc Alexander Lim and Yman Xavier Baluyo (-69kg), Antonio Luigi Dy and Mark Constance Vergel (-77kg), Vito Luis Luzuriaga and David Miranda (-85kg), and Romeo John Arellano (-94kg).

The Filipinos scooped up two mints and a bronze in Hangzhou and expect them to eclipse it in Nagoya. — Joey Villar

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