Philippine Jiu-Jitsu team gears up for 2025 SEA Games after strong World Championships campaign

The 33rd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) will take place in Bangkok, Thailand from December 9 to 20, with the Philippines sending one of its largest contingents ever — a 1,600-strong delegation competing across multiple sports.

Among the athletes set to represent the country is the Philippine national jiu-jitsu team, which aims to carry its momentum from the 2025 Jiu-Jitsu International Federation World Championships into the region’s premier multisport event. Fresh off their world championship campaign, the squad also held an intensive training camp in Japan as part of its buildup for the Games.

“We believe that we will do well. The training has been going well. They just came back from worlds, they had a good preparation. So I think the way we are going now, we are hoping we will do well as a team,” national team coach Stephen Kamphuis said during a media session.

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“We have a very strong showing in the women’s team, but we also have a very strong showing in the men’s team. We have two athletes per weight class so our goal is to win as much as possible,” he added.

Visited the Philippine National Jiu-jitsu Team this morning during their Sunday training in Makati City.

The team, led by Annie Ramirez and Kaila Napolis, seeks to carry the momentum from the 2025 JJIF World Championships to the Southeast Asian Games next month pic.twitter.com/iBGQEanaer

— Paige Javier (@PaigeJavier) November 16, 2025

Leading the Philippine charge is Annie Ramirez, a three-time SEA Games gold medalist. Ramirez enters the competition in top form after capturing two gold medals in the adult -57 kg division at the recent World Championships.

“Kung ano yung dapat ko pang i-work na nakita ko nung World Championship or hasain pa. Kahit sabihin mo nag-double gold ako, meron parin mistakes doon na dapat mas pulido pa. Walang nagbago sa training. I think mas naging careful lang ako sa training kasi hindi na ako masyadong bata as I used to be. These past few weeks nararamdaman ko yung fatigue,” Ramirez said.

Fellow SEA Games gold medalist Kaila Napolis also returns to the lineup, this time moving up to a higher weight class. Napolis, who ruled the 52 kg division at the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia, acknowledged the challenge ahead.

“My mindset for this competition, same parin to win a gold medal. So yun parin ang goal every SEA Games. It’s a big adjustment kasi yung mga kalaban ko hindi ko pa sila nakakalaban before. So sobrang exciting and I have to prepare more, to bulk up, and yung strength and conditioning yun yung adjustment,” she shared.

The squad also features veteran and 2023 SEA Games bronze medalist Myron Mangubat, along with standouts such as Kimberly Custodio and Santino Luzuriaga.

The Philippines enjoyed a strong performance in the previous SEA Games, tallying 12 medals — three golds, five silvers, and one bronze — and expectations are high to surpass that haul in Bangkok.

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