Annie Ramirez receives her gold medal at the Sanya Asian Beach Games 2026. Handout/POC Media
MANILA – At 35 years old, jiu-jitsu world champion Annie Ramirez continues to defy the odds and take down notions that women, especially female athletes, are racing against time to achieve in their sports.
Ramirez won her third straight gold medal in the women's –57kg division at the 6th Asian Beach Games in Sanya, China last week.
Before the multi-sport event, Ramirez admitted feeling physical changes that athletes experience through the years.
READ: Annie Ramirez reflects on 'memorable' third Asian Beach Games gold
Instead of dwelling on her age, the jiu-jitsu world champion chooses to embrace the changes, adjust what she can, and focus on what she can control.
"Actually, di ako masyado nagpapaapekto sa mga ganun eh. Yung mga ganung saying na, oh huwag matanda ka na. Kasi possible sila yun. Pero 'di ba? 'Di siguro ako," she told ABS-CBN News in an exclusive interview.
"Siguro may mga changes na parang hindi ko talaga, nagugulat ako nangyayari sa katawan ko. Parang on my personal body, especially women, marami talagang changes during this age or following years pa. So yun nga, kumbaga parang, yun lang naman I think yung nakikita kong challenges, kumbaga how to address the changes," Ramirez explained.
READ: Annie Ramirez relishes opportunity as PH flag-bearer for Asian Beach Games
The two-time JJIF World Champion believes age is not a major factor in her sport, since veteran experience and technique usually outplay youth and speed.
"For some other contact sport like us, like jiu-jitsu, parang it doesn't matter naman yung age eh. Kasi parang hindi ka na siguro magiging kasing bilis ng the usual ng bata ka. Pero yung strength, I think, mamaintain mo... yung malaking bagay para sa mga matatagal na naglalaro or mga medyo matanda sa sport na katulad sa amin, yung experience eh," she said.
"Yung mas bata, mas mabilis, yun yung medyo mas nagiging nila, up nila for some older person. Pero in terms of experience, I think, siyempre how to handle yung sarili during the malaking factor, yung mas matagal ka na naglalaro or may age ka na," Ramirez added.
After winning gold in her first multi-sport event for 2026, Ramirez is showing no signs of slowing down, immediately going back to the grind in her return to the Philippines.
"I think yung parang slowing down because nag-age na ako, parang hindi naman. Parang hindi ko siya masyadong na, parang hindi ako masyadong nag-agree with that term na, pag-matanda ka na, ganyan-ganyan. Hindi, parang more wine nga tayo na parang, yung mga sinasabing old man strength," she shared.
"I think yung age ko, parang hindi ako same with majority. Medyo iba yung mentality ko. So I think kaya ako nag-stay pa rin sa sport. Kasi may ganoon akong factor na parang medyo na-train ako ng coach ko to be like that," Ramirez explained.
Following her golden start this year, Ramirez is focused on preparing for her next tour of duty with the national jiu-jitsu team.
She's hopeful this golden start will set the tone for the rest of her competitions this year.
"Sana, sana. Sana, ito na yung first step na maganda yung run ko for the 2026. I kinda replicate that 2023, ano yun. Kasi 2023, ganun din. Maganda yung pasok ng taon. Parang sunod-sunod din yung panalo. So I hope, I hope... Sana mag-collide, mag-align lahat," Ramirez said.
"Ako, gagawin ko yung responsibility po. Magte-training ako na maayos, i-keep ko yung weight ko until the competition itself. Then, si God na bahala doon sa result. Pagdating ng competition, bibigay ko. Bibigay ko lagi yung best ko. It's just a matter of hindi ko nakontrolado kung ano yung magiging result nun," she added.
Up next for the country's jiu-jitsu athletes are the 10th Jiu-Jitsu Asian Championship in Almaty, Kazakhstan and the IBJJF Asian Championship in Chiba, Japan both in July.