BRAZILIAN jiu-jitsu world champion Eliecha Malilay has enrolled at UST and will play for the Lady Judokas starting in UAAP Season 88.
The 20-year-old has made her mark in the youth jiu-jitsu circuit, clinching gold in the No-Gi event at the 2024 JJIF Youth World Championship. She also won bronze in the tournament’s Gi division.
At 17, the Dubai-based standout secured gold medals at the 2022 Abu Dhabi World Grand Slam International Youth and the Abu Dhabi World Pro Championship.
“Top-notch ‘yong skill level niya, ‘yong grappling skills niya, mataas ang kalidad,” Lady Judokas head coach Gerard Arce told the Varsitarian. “Kung titingnan mo, isa na lang ang pwedeng i-develop sa kaniya, ‘yong standing (throws) niya.”
“Hindi siya mahirap turuan, mabilis siya matuto. Determined ‘yong bata at may goal siya.”
Judo mainly revolves around standing throws and takedowns, while jiu-jitsu emphasizes ground fighting and submission.
Arce recruited Malilay last year, encouraging her to enroll in a Philippine school for college education and transition to judo.
“Maayos ang transition niya, kasi almost same din naman ang judo at jiu-jitsu. Throwing lang ang need namain i-focus,” Arce said.
For Malilay, representing a school is a new chapter in her career.
“It means a lot to me because this is my first time representing a school,” she told the Varsitarian. “I want titles, na maka-champion kami.”
Malilay said she sees the transition from jiu-jitsu to judo as a way to broaden her competitive journey:
“I have a vision, a dream, and a goal. That is to make us champions. I want to be the best in both judo and jiu-jitsu.”
In her first stint with UST, Malilay won a bronze medal at the NCRJA Judo Ranking Tournament Second Leg on Aug. 30 at Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, competing in the women’s under-44-kilogram division in the open age and open belt category.
She is enrolled in the sports management program of the Institute of Physical Education and Athletics.
She is expected to add depth to the Lady Judokas roster along with Margaret Fajardo, Mariah Lua, and Grace Gangan.
