THREE athletes from Mindanao have secured spots in the Philippine national jiu-jitsu team following their stellar performances at the National Team Selections 2025 held at Ayala Circuit Mall, Makati, over the weekend.
Davao City's Marc Alexander Lim, a 2023 SEA Games gold medalist, shared that Ella Estarija and Ethan Arañez from Limitless Fitness & Martial Arts Davao clinched gold and bronze medals, respectively. Jay Carlos, head coach of Limitless' affiliate gym Casablanca Jiu Jitsu Butuan-Fabricio, also won gold.
Estarija dominated the female adult under-45kg category, defeating Dubai-based Malilay sisters, Ellise and Eliecha, world champions in the juvenile division.
"Tinalo nya yung world champions sa juveniles, ang Malilay sisters (She beat world champions—the Malilay sisters)," Lim said in a Messenger interview with SunStar Davao, Monday, January 27, 2025. "We worked super hard for this. Everything was on point," he wrote in a Facebook post.
Arañez, a 15-year-old 2024 Batang Pinoy gold medalist and student at Davao City National High School, placed third in the boys under-18 category. Lim praised his potential, saying, "Ethan showed great promise. While there’s room for improvement, stepping up in age and competition, he performed well," assessed Lim, who also served as Arañez's Batang Pinoy coach.
Carlos’ performance was equally impressive, as he won his matches by submission.
According to Lim, the Davao-based jiu-jitsu athletes underwent a specialized training camp at Limitless Fitness & Martial Arts Davao. "We tailored a specific program for our competing athletes, and it wouldn't have been possible without the support of our teammates, seniors, and coaches from Limitless," he said.
Lim also thanked Coach Stephen Kamphuis for his guidance during the final phase of their training at KMA Fitness and Martial Arts Fabricio and expressed his gratitude for Carpe Diem Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Manila.
"The goal is always to get better in and out of the mats! Well done, team," Lim wrote in his Facebook post. MLSA