KAILA Napolis captured the Philippines’ first medal in the 2025 World Games in Chengdu, China, winning a silver in ju-jitsu on Sunday.
Napolis lost via advantage to South Korea’s Im Eon Ju in the gold-medal match which ended in a 2-2 tie to settle for the silver in the women’s ju-jitsu-52kg Ne-waza event.
The Cambodia Southeast Asian Games gold medalist scored just seconds into the match, but Im was able to counter and repulsed the Filipina's bid via advantage.
READ Napolis delivers first PH gold at 2023 SEA Games
It was actually Napolis’ second bout against Im after the two ended in 0-0 tie with the Korean also winning via advantage during their Pool B play. But Napolis clinched a spot in the semifinals by beating Asma Alhosani of UAE, 0-0, winning via advantage.
The 28-year-old Napolis opened the knockout phase with a win via advantage over Pool A top-seed Pnina Aronov of Israel after a 3-3 tie to clinch a finals berth.
Reigning Asian Games champion Annie Ramirez, meanwhile, dropped her two bouts to end her medal bid in the women’s -57 kg class, but she is still entered in the open Ne-waza division.
Raph Trinidad came close to bagging a bronze in wakeboarding, placing fourth with 56.60 points in the cable men’s event.
Chezka Centeno opened the women’s 10-ball with a 7-2 win over Savannah Easton of the US, but Rubilen Amit dropped to the losers’ bracket after a 7-4 loss to Pia Filler of Germany.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
