AMARIS Gabrielle Villanueva and Bailey Heinsohn delivered stellar performances, leading the Philippine team with gold-medal finishes at the recent 2nd Jiu-Jitsu Asian Youth Championship in Bangkok, Thailand.
Villanueva triumphed over Kazakhstan’s Natali Gorbunova in the final match, clinching the gold medal in the U16 female +63kg division.
Heinsohn secured the top spot in the U16 female -32kg category after defeating compatriot Kyra Victoria Abella, resulting in a gold-silver finish for the Philippines.
Adding to the medal haul, Sachin Khongkhun bagged silver in the U18 female -52kg division.
The team also earned five bronze medals, thanks to outstanding performances by Zeus Babanto (U16 male +77kg), Eavan Marcus Chang (U16 male -40kg), Sean Khale Juatan (U16 male -44kg), Chase Emmanuelle Mapalo (U16 male -69kg), and Jin Gabriel Ong (U18 male -48kg).
Overall, the Philippine team brought home an impressive tally of 2 golds, 2 silvers, and 5 bronzes.
The team was accompanied by coaches Prof. Stephen Kamphuis, Prof. Meggie Ochoa, Coach Chris Gallego and team managers Prof. Joshua Abella and Lee Ochoa.