JERRY Legaspi of Team Kamphius-Fabricio beat Jumat Lies Mansor of BJJ Borneo-Malaysia in yesterday’s finals of the Male Masters Beginner Under 76.9 kg division to win the country’s first gold medal at the Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) Asia-Pacific World Qualifying Trials (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu) at the SM Mall of Asia.
The 35-year-old Muay-Thai instructor from Quezon City, nipped the Malay fighter, 7-5.
“It’s what I’ve always dreamed of winning the coveted gold medal,” said the reigning Pan Asian and World Jujitsu champion Legaspi, who earlier beat Aristotle Sayas of Team Deftac to advance to the finals.
However, compatriots and fellow Kamphius-Fabricio teammates Ivy Alcala, Jonna Baquillac and Michael Mejia fell to their respective rivals to settle for silver medals.
Meanwhile, Ankuso Mafin of Team Gracie of Sydney, Australia won the gold medal in the Male Masters Beginner division.
The two-day competition drew 150 players from the Asia-Pacific region. /Correspondent Marlon Bernardino