Jiu-jitsu grappler Alex Enriquez bags silver at Asian Games

Alex Enriquez secured a silver medal at women's -63kg jiu-jitsu, bringing the Philippines' 2026 Asian Games medal haul to 29.

On Oct. 3, Enriquez had a close final fight against Thailand's Orapa Senatham at the Aichi Prefectural Martial Arts Mat 2. 

The six-minute and 56-second championship match ended with no points until Senatham managed to notch a single point. 

"She's a good top fighter... I was pushing everything I had in the gas tank to try to make a position happen, but hats off to my opponent. She played the right grips, made it difficult for me to move," Enriquez told the Philippine Olympic Committee media.

Despite falling short, the 27-year-old Fil-Am grappler is already looking ahead, saying, "Hopefully in the future, I'll get it back."

"It's not going to be the last time you guys see me. So hopefully in the future, we'll get that gold back."

With Enriquez's silver, the Philippines posted its best performance in 64 years, as the Philippine Sports Commission noted. During the 1962 Jakarta games, Pinoy athletes took home a total of 37 medals (7-6-24).

"We're very happy we won so many medals in so many sports, In China (2023 Hangzhou Asian Games), we won in 11 sports. 'Yan po ang malalaking pagbabago, at 'yan po ang importante sa ating development ng Philippine sports sa ating grassroots program," PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio said.

The Philippines currently has 29 medals in the 2026 Asiad, with equestrian as the final sport in the country's campaign.

The closing ceremonies of the Aichi-Nagoya Games are set for Oct. 4, 5 p.m. Philippine time, with taekwondo jin Jeus Yape, who bagged gold, as the flagbearer.