JAKARTA, Indonesia – Friends more than foes, Meggie Ochoa shared her prize to jiu-jitsu medal-match opponent Jenna Kaila Napolis, who turned 22 years old on Friday, August 24. 

The 28-year-old medalist gifted her younger teammate the Bhin Bhin stuffy that comes with every bronze medal in the 2018 Asian Games.

“Birthday gift ko sa kanya. I wish sana nga gold and silver kami, yeah di ba? Pero yeah, yan yung plan ni God and nagtrtrust naman ako kay God,” said Ochoa. 

(It’s my birthday gift to her. I wish that we got gold and silver right? But yeah, that’s God’s plan and I trust in God.) 

Ochoa defeated compatriot Napolis, 2-0, in the jiu-jitsu women’s -49kg bronze medal match and she had mixed feelings right after winning the bout.

“Honestly, a part of me feels worse for beating her than if I lose, I don’t know. Parang a part of me mas mahirap pa sa loob ko na kinalabanan ko siya sa bronze match,” said the three-time International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) World Champion.

(It’s like a part of me feels that it’s more difficult to face her in the bronze match.)

Napolis had hoped for a podium stint with Ochoa on her birthday, but she still remained proud of her senior teammate. 

The College of Saint Benilde Hotel Restuarant and Insitution Management graduate wound up fifth overall in the standings. 

“Nalungkot ako noong nalaman ko na siya (Meggie) yung makakalaban ko for bronze kasi yun nga, teammates, tapos magtatapat. Pero okay lang, I did my best pero kulang pa, kulang sa technique,” explained Napolis. 

(I was sad when I found out that I would face Meggie for the bronze because we’re teammates. But it’s okay, I did my best although it’s still not enough. I still lack technique.) 

But Napolis said the Asiad also turned out to be a learning experience for her to grow more in the sport she has been practicing for five years. And that learning can also be a good birthday gift. – Rappler.com