BAHRAIN – Filipina jiu-jitsu icon Meggie Ochoa has found a new calling guiding young athletes in the sport she once dominated.

The 35-year-old now coaches the national youth jiu-jitsu team competing at the Asian Youth Games, with the goal of developing a new generation capable of surpassing her and her fellow champions’ international successes.

“‘Yung motivation ko, ma-build up ‘yung mga youth athletes para mayroong mas marami pa na papalit sa amin sa adult team in the future, na ma-level up sila to the point na ‘yung mga na-deliver namin na medals in the past, ma-outnumber nila,” said Ochoa.

A decorated career fuels a coaching journey

Ochoa’s resume is extraordinary. She became the first Filipino gold medalist at the JJIF World Jiu-Jitsu Championships, topping the women’s -49kg category in 2018 in Sweden, and struck gold again in the women’s -48kg class in 2022 in UAE.

Her accolades also include gold medals in the World IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu World Championship, the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, the Asian Jiu-Jitsu Championships, and the Southeast Asian Games. She completed her golden collection with a top prize in the women’s -48kg division at the 2023 Asian Games in China, shortly before retiring from the national team.

“Actually sa totoo lang, before I really thought I was just going to be an athlete all the way. Pero nagkaroon ako ng opportunities to coach noong 2024, and somehow, I really found fulfillment in it,” Ochoa said. “Mas willing na akong i-give up ‘yung pagiging athlete ko kaysa i-give up ko ‘yung coaching para mag-focus sa pagiging athlete.”

Coaching challenges and motivation

Ochoa admitted the transition to coaching has been challenging, requiring emotional control and constant planning. She shares coaching duties with Christopher Gallego, overseeing 18 athletes competing in these Games.

“Mas mahirap maging coach para sa’kin kasi ang dami mong iniisip tsaka parang kailangan ‘yung emotions mo, kailangan mo siyang i-manage kasi you have to be on top of things at kailangan ikaw din ‘yung mas composed para yung mga atleta, hindi rin sila mara-rattle,” said Ochoa.

She added that the challenges fuel her motivation to improve as a coach. “Ang daming iba ibang layers na iniisip kung coach ka. Pero exciting din siya and challenging. Pag challenging, dito ako lalong nae-encourage na magpatuloy, lalo na pag nafi-feel ko na wala pa ako doon sa nararapat. Nacha-challenge ako tapos gusto kong mas matuto at mas galingan pa lalo.”