Annie Ramirez Secures Historic Gold Hat-Trick in All-Filipino Jiu-Jitsu Final
Jiu-jitsu star Annie Ramirez has cemented her legacy as a continental powerhouse, capturing her third consecutive Asian Beach Games gold medal after defeating fellow Filipina Emily Thomas in the women’s -57kg final on Friday.
The victory marks a "three-peat" for Ramirez, who previously stood atop the podium at the 2014 Phuket and 2016 Da Nang editions of the Games.
A Hard-Fought Road to the Podium
The road to the all-Filipino final was grueling for both athletes. Ramirez secured her spot by edging out Mongolia’s Shurentsetseg Ehnkhmunkh with a 5-2 score in the semifinals. Meanwhile, Thomas earned her place in the gold medal match by narrowly defeating Shamsa Alameri of the United Arab Emirates, 4-2.
The final bout, originally scheduled for the Sanya Bay Yuhai Club, faced a two-hour delay due to heavy rainfall. Organizers eventually moved the match to an indoor venue at the Athletes’ Village to ensure the safety of the competitors.
The Final Showdown
In a technical and tightly contested match, Ramirez utilized her veteran experience to win via advantage. Despite the competitive nature of the bout, the atmosphere remained one of mutual respect and national pride.
Philippines Rises in Medal Standings
The gold-silver finish by Ramirez and Thomas propelled Team Pilipinas to its third gold medal of the 6th Asian Beach Games. Their success followed closely on the heels of Leonard Grospe, who claimed gold in the men’s high jump earlier that day.
Current Medal Highlights for Team Pilipinas:
Gold: Annie Ramirez (Jiu-Jitsu)
Gold: Leonard Grospe (High Jump)
Silver: Emily Thomas (Jiu-Jitsu)
Silver: Kaila Napolis (Jiu-Jitsu)
Ramirez, a resident of Muntinlupa City who proudly calls Pamplona, Camarines Sur, her home province, continues to be one of the most decorated jiu-jitsu practitioners in the region.

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