Ellise Xoe (left) and Eliecha Zoey (right) Malilay proudly show the medals they have won in the Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Pro Tour Fujairah International Pro-Gi tournament. | Contributed Photo
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Cebuana Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) standouts Eliecha Zoey Diaz Malilay and Ellise Xoe Diaz Malilay shone in the recently concluded Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Pro Tour Fujairah International Pro-Gi tournament last July 2 in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The 17-year-old Eliecha Zoey dominated the youth women’s gi, blue belt, 40-kilogram category to win the gold medal. Her younger sister, Ellise Xoe, 14, earned a silver medal in the girls gi, teen, yellow belt 44kg category.
Eliecha Zoey who won a gold medal in the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Jiu-Jitsu Pro Championships in May upset hometown BJJ athlete Rauda Nasser Alshamsi in their rematch.
Eliecha Zoey bested Alshamsi in their first encounter last May during the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Jiu-Jitsu Pro Championships. This time, she submitted her rival via an arm triangle from mount.
Meanwhile, Ellise Xoe won her first match via points,8-2, against UAE’s Marim Hassan, but eventually lost to another UAE BJJ athlete in Meera Hasan Alhosani via points, 0-2, in the gold medal round.
Nonetheless, the younger Malilay BJJ siblings earned a silver medal for her effort.
The Malilay BJJ siblings who competed for the Atrixion MMA Academy in Dubai, UAE earned their popularity abroad for their huge potential in the grueling martial arts sport of BJJ.
Both of them started the sport in 2019 in Cebu’s Vagabond MMA-Deftac Cebu, but their rise had been fast and promising, winning tournament after tournament unlike other athletes their age.
The Malilay siblings are expected to compete in other international BJJ tournaments including the AJP Tour Asia Continental Pro UAE 2022, and the World Pro Jiu-Jitsu Championships in Abu Dhabi.
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