MANILA, Philippines – Aleia Aielle Aguilar continued to impress on the world stage even at a young age.
Aguilar became a three-time jiu-jitsu international champion at just seven years old after ruling her division in the 2024 World Festival Jiu-Jitsu Championship at the Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The daughter of Alvin Aguilar — the founding father of Filipino mixed martial arts and president of Universal Reality Combat Championship — overcame heavier foes, adjusting very well in the 22kg division after her original 19kg weight class got scrapped by organizers.
Despite the challenging situation, she took her semifinal opponent Sana Alzaabi of the United Arab Emirates with an armbar submission within just 20 seconds to advance to the girls’ gi kids 2 grey 22 kgs A class final.
In the finale, Aguilar had a tough time sizing up her foe, Sarah Abuhijleh also of the United Arab Emirates, but relied on her tactics to score a 3-0 victory.
“This is the toughest among jiu-jitsu international competitions. Our young athletes really trained for this, and we are satisfied that they delivered,” said Alvin Aguilar of the tournament that gathers elite jiu-jitsu champions of all ages.
In 2022, Aielle became the Philippines’ youngest world youth jiu-jitsu champion at just five years old, then pulled off a repeat the following year.
Other young Filipino gold winners in the tournament were Marcus Sebastian dela Cruz (boys gi kids 3 white belt 24 kgs), Ma. Althea Louise Brion (girls gi infant white belt 40 kgs), Yani Alexii Lopez (girls gi junior grey feather 40 kgs), and Princess Akeisha Reuma (girls gi junior white belt 48 kgs). – Rappler.com