San Juan City honors gold medalist Ochoa

SAN Juan City Mayor Francisco Zamora feted 19th Asian Games jiu-jitsu women's 48 kg category gold medalist Margarita «Meggie» Ochoa with a plaque, a City Resolution and a P100,000 cash prize.

«We are honoring the pride of San Juan,» Zamora said, at the same time expressing hope that she will serve as an inspiration to the youth.

Ochoa expressed her gratitude and appreciation for her hometown.

She said being in the Asian Games was not easy, as she got injured and got sick with the flu before her fight.

An additional P100,000 was also given personally by Zamora to show his appreciation for her dedication to bringing pride and inspiration to San Juaneños, for a total of P200,000 cash reward.

Zamora also announced San Juan City's plan to build its multi-level sports complex by 2024 and to add a mixed martial arts gym inside. He invited Ochoa to teach jiu-jitsu to San Juan youth.

Ochoa, a resident of Barangay Batis, is the first Filipina to bag the gold medal after defeating United Arab Emirates' Balqees Abdulla in the women's jiu-jitsu 48 kg division finals last October 5 in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.