San Juan fetes Asiad gold medalist Meggie Ochoa

MANILA, Philippines — Jiu-Jitsu standout Meggie Ochoa was honored yesterday by the San Juan City government for her golden feat in the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

Ochoa received a cash incentive of P100,000 and a plaque of recognition from San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora during flag-raising rites at the city hall atrium.

Zamora, a former basketball player, pledged an additional P100,000.

Ochoa bagged one of the country’s four gold medals in the 19th Asian Games.

“Today, we are honoring the pride of San Juan. I hope that she will serve as an inspiration to other athletes and the city’s youth,” Zamora said in his speech.

Ochoa expressed her gratitude to Zamora and other city officials.

A resident of Barangay Batis in San Juan, Ochoa won the gold medal after defeating United Arab Emirates’ Balqees Abdulla in the women’s jiu-jitsu 48-kg division.