Alexandria Enriquez closed out the Philippine campaign in the 20th Asian Games as the team’s top jiujitsu performer, delivering a silver-medal run that further cemented her status as one of the nation’s best athletes.
Yet even in defeat after a finals duel with Thailand’s Orapa Senathan in the women’s -63-kilogram division, her focus was never solely on herself.
‘The Philippine national team of jiujitsu is such a special group of people,’ said Enriquez. ‘I was able to develop a relationship with them through the years. We had a training camp in the United States, and I feel like all the competitors had great performances.’
That bond is what fuels her belief that the Philippines will continue to make its mark in jiujitsu after a two-gold haul in Hangzhou in 2023.
‘Our team is very strong, and other countries can see that,’ Enriquez added. ‘It’s just a matter of time before you see more Filipinos on the medal podium.’
The US-based Enriquez proved that strength in her own run after a first-round bye, followed by decisive wins over Palestine’s Dania Obaid and Kazakhstan’s Marian Zhuravleva, then a gritty semifinal victory over Mongolia’s Narankhishig Baasanjargal.
Her teammate, Andrea Lois Lao, finished fourth in the same division, while Kaila Napolis secured bronze in the -52-kg class on Friday.
Still, Enriquez’s mission extends beyond medals. She wants people to pay attention to her sport.
‘I want to give a performance that people will always remember,’ she said. ‘Competing like that gets you invited to other big opportunities and gets … more people interested in the sport. That’s my goal; it’s not just being an athlete, but also being an entertainer as well.’
The next stage for Enriquez is the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in December.
‘Yes, I want to be there as long as I stay healthy,’ said Enriquez. ‘There are no regrets, and I hope that the nation still supports me. This will not be my last Asian Games.’