JAKARTA — The Philippines captured its sixth bronze medal in the 18th Asian Games courtesy of Margarita Ochoa in the women’s Newaza -49-kg. event in the Jiu-jitsu competition at the Jakarta Convention Center Assembly Hall here on Friday.
Ochoa, a gold medalist in the 2018 Asian Championships in Kazakhstan, defeated compatriot Jenna Kaila Napolis in the bronze medal round with a score of 2-0.
Ochoa, who also pocketed the gold in the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Turkmenistan, won over Yasmeen Alkhatib of Jordan by superiority before beating Siramol Deepudsa of Thailand, 2-0.
She lost to Thi Thanh Minh Duong of Vietnam (by superiority) in her match but won over Bayarmaa Munkhgerel of Mongolia in the repechage to forge a showdown with Napolis.
“I had mixed feelings. I’m happy to win the bronze but I’m sad that I have to beat my teammate and friend,” said the 28-year-old Ochoa, a Management graduate of Ateneo de Manila, in an interview after the match.
Six more Filipinos remain in the competition, including 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games gold medalist Annie Ramirez (-55-kg.).
Meanwhile, Carlos Edriel Yulo failed to deliver in the men’s artistic gymnastics competition at the Jakarta International Exhibition Center in Kemayoran.
The 18-year-old Yulo scored 13.662 points to place fourth in the men’s vault event that was won by Wai Hung Shek of Hong Kong (14.612 points).
In fencing, the men’s foil team of Nathaniel Perez, Michael Nicanor, and Brennan Wayne Louie lost to the South Korean squad of Ha Tagyu, Heo Jun, and Lee Kwang-hyun, 19-45, in the quarterfinal round.
The Philippines made it to the quarters after posting a 45-3 victory over Nepal.