MANAMA, Bahrain - Charlie Ratcliff gave the Philippines its second gold medal in the 3rd Asian Youth Games by reigning in the girls 45Kg of modern MMA on Saturday at Hall 1 of the Exhibition World Bahrain here.
The 15-year-old Filipina made short work of Nakanantaphon Khaihong of Thailand by winning the gold medal play via submission in just 63 seconds.
The end came with 1:57 left in the opening round.
Ratcliff, whose older brother Travis earlier bagged silver in the men's 60 kg event, said the quick end wasn't planned at all.
"I just saw the back and from there I went for it," said the younger Ratcliff in applying the rear naked choke against his Thai opponent.
So shocked Nakanantaphon was that she was reduced to tears as her corner tried to console her while Ratcliff ran to the waiting arms of her coaches in wild celebration.
A grade 12 student at the Colegio De Santo Tomas-Recoletos in Negros Occidental, Ratcliff was the second Filipina to provide the country a gold in the 45-nation meet after pencak silat's Kram Airam Carpio in the girls' 51-55 kg.
Winning the gold according to her, was worth all the sacrifices she had to make.
"Sacrifices of time management for school and sport," said Charlie, who also dedicated her gold medal for the sacrifices her mother made for both of them.
The Ratcliff matriarch, Maria Aisa Ratfcliff, was a former member of the national wrestling team who dabbles in grappling.
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