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Jiu-Jitsu world champion Annie Ramirez. Courtesy: Instagram / annieramirez_bjj
MANILA — Every athlete has experienced setbacks, but the true mark of a champion is how they choose to bounce back.
Jiu-jitsu world champion Annie Ramirez is shrugging off the early exit in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, as she turns her focus to continue achieving on the mats.
"It's just talagang very unlucky na napunta ako sa ganun sitwasyon at hindi ako nakapag-adjust. Then I think, at least ano na yun, naka-list na, next time hindi ko gagawin yung mga naging decision ko sa match na yun. Then, so ayun, parang looking forward ako for that bounce back," she said at the Philippine Sportswriters Association Awards on Monday at the Diamond Hotel Manila.
The bemedalled jiu-jitsu athlete said she already has a new challenge waiting for her, as she moved down her weight class for upcoming competitions.
Ramirez will be competing in the –52kg division for the first time, five kilos lighter than her usual –57kg, where she won last November 2025.
READ: Ramirez reveals battle with anxiety prior to Asiad gold
"Marami na tayong competitions na naka-line up. Move on na po tayo sa SEA Games po. Back to training na tayo for something better this year. Ngayon po kasi for Asian Games, new weight category paglalaruan ko. Iba dun sa pinanalunan ko last time," Ramirez said.
At 35 years old, Ramirez admits that age is a factor in sports, but she is determined not to let this get in her way of success.
"I think, 2019 yung last na nag-55 [kg] ako for the national team. So, medyo malaki na pinagbago. May mga... hindi na rin tayo bata. So, medyo 'di ba, maraming changes sa katawan. So, I think it's a big challenge pero kaya naman," she said.
"Siyempre, nandun tayo. I think yung one of the biggest challenges is i-prove natin. Even though hindi tayo bata, 'di ba, na kaya natin mag-perform. At hindi yan sa edad, sa performance yan," the 35-year-old added.
Ramirez and her fellow jiu-jitsu athletes have a busy 2026 ahead of them as they gear up for the Asian Beach Games in April, the Asian Games in July, and the Asian Indoor Martial Arts Games (AIMAG) in November.
READ: PH jiu-jitsu team seeks to carry momentum from World Championships to SEAG
"Actually, itong tatlong multi-sport natin is lahat yun parang defending champion ako. From the Beach Games, Asian Games pero hindi same weight. And AIMAG. So hopefully, lahat yun ma-unlock natin. Again, major adjustment yun," she said.
Ramirez was one of the major awardees at the Philippine Sportswriters Association Awards Night on Monday.
In 2025, the 35-year-old won two gold medals at the Jiu-Jitsu International Federation World Championships in Bangkok, Thailand.
Ramirez made history after ruling both the adult female –57kg Gi and No-Gi divisions.
"Yung World Championship, siyempre iba siya. Unique siya kasi mahirap siya. Hindi siya ganun kadaling kunin. Sobrang pinaghirapan ko din talaga yung World Championship na yun," she said of this feat.
With jiu-jitsu seeing success at the 33rd SEA Games and other competitions, Ramirez is optimistic about the sport's continued growth in the country.
"Exciting kasi nga, it's the biggest year for the national team ng jiu-jitsu, not just for me, and for the whole team. Marami na rin kaming upcoming na mga members, so I am happy, and I'm glad na makasabay sila... at sabay-sabay naming abutin yung mga goals namin for the year," she said.
"Sana mag-serve din yun na inspiration sa lahat, hindi lang sa kaedad ko, hindi lang sa mga bata, at sa mga upcoming, at sa mga nangangarap na maging jiu-jitsu athlete, not just for the national team, or I think in any sport," Ramirez added.