Filipino jiu-jitsu athlete Kaila Isip Napolis won a gold medal in Women’s Ne-Waz GI - 52kg on Thursday, defeating Asian champion Khan Jessa at the 32nd SEA Games in Phnom Penh.
The match was much anticipated and Napolis said she is in disbelief that she was able to defeat Cambodian-American Jessa at the host nation, amid cheering crowds at packed hall at OCIC.
“I am super honored to have won against a very strong opponent. She’s an idol in the Philippines also,” Napolis, 25, told Kiripost after winning the gold medal.
“I am super happy. I can’t believe it actually,” she said, adding that her game plan was actually different in that she was able to get the lapel instead.
“I was supposed to hold on to something because I know I couldn’t pass her guard,” she said.
Jessa was emotional after receiving the silver medal, adding that the support she received is more important. She said that the match against Napolis was difficult and she could not move as much.
“You know when I come, my goal is always to try to win gold, especially I want to win for Cambodia,” Jessa told reporters with teary eyes.
“I always try to win the gold. In jiu jitsu, sometimes things don’t just go your way. It's hard to predict how each match will be,” she said.
Jessa said she had beaten Napolis before and this time the Filipino athlete may have had a different strategy against her.
“Now, I know for the next time to have a different game plan going in,” she said.
Senior government officials, including Defense Minister Tea Banh and Education Minister Hang Chuon Naron, were at the ceremony on Thursday to console Jessa with many hugs.
