Jiu-jitsu bet Kaila Napolis bags Team PH’s first gold in World Combat Games

Jiu-jitsu fighter Kaila Napolis added another feather to her cap after clinching the country’s first gold medal in the World Combat Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Thursday, Oct. 26.

The 25-year-old Napolis displayed her wide skills to outlast Annael Pannetier of France, 2-0, to rule the women’s 52kg newaza division.

Prior to her golden victory, the Muntinlupa City native dominated Adriana Cruz of Colombia in the quarterfinals and Mongoljin Gaanbatar of Mongolia via submission (50-0) in the semifinals.

“Another record breaking feat for Philippines in jiu-jitsu history,” Napolis’ teammate Annie Ramirez wrote on social media.

Just last month, Napolis bagged the bronze medal in the same weight class in the 19^th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

She was also one of the gold medalists in the 2023 Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia last May, where she beat a highly favored hometown star in Jessa Khan.

Aside from Napolis’ gold, Team Philippines also has two silver medals courtesy of wushu artists Agatha Wong and Clemente Tabugara Jr., as well as four bronze medals from fellow wushus standouts Jones Llabres Inso and Thornton Quieney Lou Sayan, and wrestlers Fierre Afan and Maria Aisa Ratcliff.