Ellise Xoe Diaz Malilay proudly shows her bronze medal that she won in the 2023 Youth World Championships of Jiu-Jitsu in Astana, Kazakhstan. | Contributed photo
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Cebuana jiu-jitsu ace Ellise Xoe Diaz Malilay clinched the Philippines’ first medal in the ongoing 2023 Youth World Championships of Jiu-Jitsu in Astana, Kazakhstan last Wednesday, August 23, 2023.
The 15-year-old Malilay who is based in Dubai and one of the four Jiu-Jitsu athletes vying for Team Philippines bagged a bronze medal in the under-18 female -44 kgs division.
Malilay defeated Kazakh Altynbek Nuray via points, 9-0, in her first fight.
However, the Cebuana lost to United Arab Emirates’ Hissa Alyasi by points in her second fight.
She bounced back strong in the bronze medal round by defeating European Kobets Ellada via an armbar submission.
Besides representing the Philippines, the Malilay siblings also represent Dubai, UAE’s Atrixion MMA Academy.
The rest of the Philippine team members are Eliecha Zoe Malilay, Santino Luis Luzuriaga, and Blaine Hann Tagudena.
The 17-year-old Eliecha Zoe will vie in the under-21 female -45 kilograms division.
Luzariaga will compete in the under-18 male -60 kgs and Tagudena in the under-18 male -66 kgs. /rcg
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