World champs banner Philippines jiu-jitsu Asiad team

MANILA, Philippines —  The Philippines is sending not just one, but two world ju-jitsu champions in next month’s Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan.

The battle-scarred Annie Ramirez and Kimberly Custodio, who pocketed their third and fourth world title in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, respectively, early this month, will lead a 15-strong squad eyeing nothing but Asiad glory.

The 35-year-old Ramirez is bent on snaring her second gold in a row in the quadrennial meet after reigning supreme in Hangzhou, China three years ago.

But she would have to change weight classes and go down from her original weight class at-57 kilograms to -52kg where countrywoman Kaila Napolis is also competing.

Same with the 39-year-old Custodio, who will go up to -48kg from -45kg where she was untouchable in Abu Dhabi.

Interestingly, however, for Custodio, while already decorated, the Nagoya joust will be her Asiad debut and she hopes to make it memorable the way she did in her smashing Southeast Asian Games debut last year in Thailand.

She will compete with teammate Jollrin Gonzales Co in the same division.

Alexandria Luz Enriquez, who snared the Asian Beach Games gold in Sanya, China last April, is also wading into battle in the women’s 63kg alongside Andrea Lois Lao.