Ramirez secures third gold for Team Philippines

SANYA, China – Not even a two-hour downpour that severely affected the competition venue could stop jiu-jitsu star Annie Ramirez from claiming her third straight Asian Beach Games gold medal Friday.

Ramirez bagged the gold after winning over compatriot Emily Thomas via advantage in an all-Filipina women’s -57kg final at the Athletes’ Village here.

Ramirez and Thomas secured an all-Filipino final at the Sanya Bay Yuhai Club earlier in the afternoon before torrential rains rendered the venue unusable.

But Team Philippines, fully backed by Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino and Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick Gregorio, will not be denied as the Pinay grapplers clashed in an indoor setting to claim the country’s second gold of the day after Leonard Grospe’s triumph in high jump.

Kaila Napolis also won a silver on Thursday.

Team Philippines won its first gold here courtesy of Alexandra Luz Enriquez in the women’s 63kg in jiu-jitsu Thursday.

“Malaking bagay na na-close out na namin ni Emily ‘yung division, so at least nakabawas ‘yun sa anxiety sa mga nangyari kanina,” Ramirez, one of the country’s flag-bearers in the Games in this resort city, said.

Sprinter Jessica Rose Laurance took home a bronze medal in the women’s 60-meter dash yesterday while the Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 men’s squad went 2-0 in Pool A play as Team Philippines remained in third place overall.

Laurance, 22, showed composure against a stacked field to clinch another podium finish for the Philippines which has already equaled its best gold tally in the continental showpiece with three golds, a silver, and two bronze medals so far.