An emotional Meggie Ochoa celebrates winning gold in the Asian Games women’s 48kg jiu-jitsu in Hangzhou, China. -ASIAD POOL
Meggie Ochoa made a life-changing move to end her career as a national athlete, but that doesn’t mean the three-time jiujitsu world champion won’t be grappling competitively on the mat anymore.
“I just retired as a national athlete, but I can still compete on my own,” Ochoa, said. “The commitment of being on the national team is really demanding, you should be ready to make sacrifices.”
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Perhaps, the 34-year-old Asian Games gold medalist feels she has a bigger task ahead than winning more medals internationally.
Ochoa will pour most of her efforts now on coaching the national youth team with coach Chris Gallego and grow her own club—Solas Jiu jitsu.
“I cannot perform these commitments if I stay on as a national athlete,’’ said Ochoa, expressing her gratitude to the coaches and teammates who accompanied her on a storied journey.
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After capturing a World IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship title in 2014 as a white belt, Ochoa achieved a hat-trick with back-to-back triumphs in 2015 and 2016 as a blue belt.
Golden girls
The Ateneo alumnus likewise ruled the women’s ne-waza -45kg in the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Turkmenistan and clinched the gold in the women’s -48kg during the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
“I initially thought of competing again in the 2026 Asian Games or see action in another world championship,” she said before making the decision to coach. “I had several plans in mind, but God has other plans for me.’’
Ochoa’s retirement from the national team will end an era of competing and winning with fellow world champion Annie Ramirez on the international scene.
“We have been teammates since I started [competing for the national team]. Most of our big victories were simultaneous, I will forever cherish those memories,’’ said Ochoa.
Ramirez celebrated with Ochoa after striking gold in the women’s ne-waza 55kg during the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games and also won in the previous Asian Games by topping the 57-kg category.
Ochoa formed part of the Team Philippines coaching staff during the 2024 JJIF Ju-Jitsu World Championships in Heraklion, Greece, where Filipinos brought home three gold, one silver and eight bronze medals.
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“For me, it’s one of the most eye-opening competitions that I’ve been to. Our teams and our athletes, both the adult and youth, have really progressed,’’ said Ochoa.
