Philippine jiu-jitsu standout Isabella Joseline Butler wins gold in the Asian Youth Games in Bahrain on October 30, 2025. ARCHIVE

Jiu-jitsu standout Isabella Joseline Butler delivered a golden finish for the Philippines at the Asian Youth Games, overpowering UAE’s Aysha Aljneibi in the girls’ 63kg final to capture the country’s seventh and last gold medal on Thursday (October 30). The 17-year-old sealed victory with a collar choke submission with just 1:05 minutes remaining, igniting celebrations for Team Philippines at the Exhibition World Bahrain. Her dominant performance capped the nation’s campaign on a triumphant note, earning praise from fans both in the Philippines and the UAE. Butler carved her path to gold with a series of convincing wins — defeating Ayaulym Dossymzhankyzy of Kazakhstan in the round of 16, Maria Elissavet Kokkoliou of Thailand in the quarterfinals, and Ziyoda Shomurodova of Uzbekistan in the semifinals. Adding to the Philippines’ strong showing, Mara-Alexandria Sarinas clinched a bronze medal in the girls’ 57kg class, after forcing Thailand’s Prasita Rumakom into submission. Their victories helped the country end the Games on a high, following a medal-less penultimate day for the national jiu-jitsu squad. Other Filipino bets — Zeus Babanto (boys’ 85kg), Sachi Khonghun (girls’ 52kg), and Jin Gabriel Ong (boys’ 56kg) — fell short of podium finishes but gained valuable international experience. Coached by two-time world champion Meggie Ochoa and Christopher Gallego, the 18-member Philippine youth jiu-jitsu team finished fifth overall, bringing home one gold and one bronze — a result that highlights the sport’s continued growth and promise for the country’s young athletes. Butler’s golden performance not only ended the Games on a victorious note but also underscored the Philippines’ rising prominence in Asian martial arts. ICA/Expat Media
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