THE House of Representatives adopted on Monday a consolidated resolution commending and congratulating jiu-jitsu athletes Kimberly Anne Custodio and Margarita “Meggie” Ochoa for winning gold medals in the 2022 Jiu-Jitsu World Championship held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) from October 29 to November 8, 2022.

“Through sheer determination, hard work and perseverance, Filipino Jiu-Jitsu athletes, Kimberly Anne Custodio and Margarita ‘Meggie’ Ochoa successfully emerged as the champions in their respective weight divisions,” according to adopted House Resolution (HR) No. 575 in consolidation with HR Nos. 528, 529, 533, 535, 538, 539, 551, 558, and 549.

The lawmakers said “the outstanding performance and great strides” of the two-spirited Filipina jiujiteiros would serve as spring of inspiration for young athletes and women in a male-dominated sport in the world.

“Their success puts the Philippines at the forefront of the fastest-growing martial arts sport, jiu-jitsu competitions,” they added.

HR No. 575 was introduced by Speaker Martin G. Romualdez, Majority Leader Manuel Jose “Mannix” M. Dalipe, Minority Leader Marcelino C. Libanan, Senior Deputy Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander A. Marcos, and Tingog Party-list Reps. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez and Jude A. Acidre, and other lawmakers.

With a contingent composed of four women and four men, the Philippines joined the 2022 Jiu-Jitsu World Championship organized by the Ju-Jitsu International Federation (JJIF) held at the Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi.

The tournament featured top Jiu-Jitsu players from different countries including Cambodia, Saudi Arabia, United States, Sweden, Spain, UAE, Israel, Canada, Germany, and Tunisia.

The resolution noted that in the women’s -45 kg division, Custodio of Carpe Diem Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Philippines and Modern Day Samurai Jiu-Jitsu Iloilo, clinched the top prize by scoring a tight 6-4 victory against Thailand’s professional athlete Kacie Pechrada Tan in the thrilling final match.

Custodio, the 2004 Miss Iloilo Dinagyang beauty queen turned “armbar queen,” has previously brought pride to the country by winning a silver medal in the 2016 Jiu-Jitsu Federation World Championship held in Long Beach, California; gold and bronze medals at the 2017 and 2018 San Diego Spring International Open Jiu-Jitsu Championship, respectively; bronze medal in the 2019 Jiu-Jitsu Asian Championship; and a gold medal in the Jiu-Jitsu Grand Prix in Thailand on the same year.

Ochoa of Atos Jiu-Jitsu Philippines, meanwhile, reclaimed her champion’s crown and once again ruled the women’s -48 kg division capped by a 2-0 win over Canada’s Ni Ni Vicky Hoang in the finals, according to the resolution.

Custodio, an advocate for the environment, child protection and women empowerment, has bagged significant awards for the country since 2014 in various Jiu-Jitsu competitions in California, Japan, Vietnam, Turkmenistan, and Abu Dhabi.

She also made history as the first Filipino and first Asian to become the 2018 JJIF Jiu-Jitsu World Champion, and led the Philippines with gold medals in the 2019 and 2021 Southeast Asian Games.