MANILA, Philippines — Muling nagpasiklab si Aleia Aielle Aguilar upang masungkit ang gintong medalya sa 2024 World Festival Jiu-Jitsu Championship na ginanap sa Mubadala Arena sa Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Tinalo ni Aguilar ang mas malalaki at mabibigat nitong karibal para tanghlaing three-time jiu-jitsu world champion.
Sumalang si Aguilar sa 22 kg. division mula sa kanyang dating 19 kg na weight class.
Subalit hindi ito naging hadlang para sa 7-anyos na anak ni Filipino mixed martial arts founder at Universal Reality Combat Championship (URCC) president Alvin Aguilar.
“We reduced her weight to 19 kgs at the last minute, but only to find out that her weight was scrapped after no participants had signed up because everybody wanted to avoid her, but she still won in a heavier weight class,” ani Aguilar.
Kabilang sa mga pinataob ni Aguilar si Sana Alzaabi ng United Arab Emirates sa semifinals kung saan nagtala ito ng armbar submission sa loob ng 20 segundo para umabante sa girls’ gi kids 2 grey 22 kgs A class final.
Naipagpatuloy ni Aguilar ang magandang laro nito nang payukuin si Sarah Abuhijleh ng United Arab Emirates sa iskor na 3-0 para makuha ang panalo.
“We are very proud of her and also to other gold medalists. This is the toughest among jiu-jitsu international competitions. Our young athletes really trained for this, and we are satisfied that they delivered,” dagdag ni Alvin.
Nagpasalamat din si Alvin sa MVP Sports Foundation at kay Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino.
“Aielle and everyone with us are junior members of the WAP Junior Grappling Team,” dagdag ni Alvin.
Wagi rin ng gintong medalya sina Marcus Sebastian Dela Cruz (boys gi kids 3 white belt 24 kgs), Ma. Althea Louise Brion (girls gi infant white belt 40 kgs), Yani Alexii Lopez (girls gi junior grey feather 40 kgs) at Princess Akeisha Reuma (girls gi junior white belt 48 kgs).