Meggie enjoying new role as coach

Asian Games gold medalist Meggie Ochoa of jiu-jitsu is imparting her lessons and experiences as she now serves as an assistant coach to the youth national jiu-jitsu team.

Ochoa told DAILY TRIBUNE she is grateful to share her knowledge to the next generation, especially for the upcoming JJIF South East Asian Regionals here in Manila from 12 to 13 July.

The 34-year-old Ochoa announced her retirement last January from national team duty.

“It’s different. I don’t know which is harder, coaching or being a coach but I’m grateful for the opportunity,” Ochoa said.

“There are a lot of lessons that I’m applying in coaching. Of course, there’s the commitment to the sport to reach your desired level and having a clear purpose in mind of why you’re doing what you’re doing.”

“I think that’s one of the most important because that will keep them going.”

Ochoa is speaking from experience.

The Ateneo de Manila University graduate has a stacked resume with three World IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship gold medals in 2014 as a white belt and again in 2015 and 2016 as a blue belt.

She also won a gold medal in the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Turkmenistan after beating Le Thu Trang Du of Vietnam in the women’s ne-waza -45-kg final.

One of Ochoa’s biggest wins was at the 19th Asiad in Hangzhou, China in 2023 as she clinched the gold medal in the women’s -48-kg division after beating Balqees Abdulla of the United Arab Emirates.

Ochoa has high hopes for the next generation of jiu-jitsu fighters as they compete for the Philippines.

“There’s a lot of potential in the youth national team. Right now, they’re already excelling in their craft,” Ochoa said.

“It’s an exciting future.”