Kaila Napolis

Last updated

Kaila Napolis
Born (1996-08-24) August 24, 1996 (age 28)
Residence Muntinlupa [1]
NationalityFilipino
Medal record
Representing Flag of the Philippines.svg  Philippines
Women's Ju-jitsu
World Games
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2025 Chengdu ne-waza 52 kg
Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2017 Ashgabat ne-waza 55 kg
SEA Games
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2023 Cambodia ne-waza 52 kg
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2019 Philippines ne-waza 49 kg

Jenna Kaila Napolis (born August 24, 1996) is a Filipino jujutsu practitioner who is a silver medalist at the 2025 World Games.

Contents

Early life and education

Napolis was born on August 26, 1996. [2] She graduated at the College of Saint Benilde with a degree in culinary arts. [3]

Career

Kaila Napolis has been a jujutsu practitioner since about 2013. [2]

She participated at the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games where she was defeated by compatriot Annie Ramirez in the final of the ne-waza 55kg division. [4] In the 2018 Asian Games, she lost the bronze medal game to fellow Filipino, Meggie Ochoa. [5]

Napolis lost to Jessa Khan of Cambodia in the final of the 49kg division of the ju-jitsu event of the 2019 SEA Games in the Philippines, settling for silver. [6] Since then, Napolis began adjusting her technique. [7]

The 2021 Ju-Jitsu World Championships saw Napolis win a bronze in the 52kg event. [8]

At the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia, Napolis won a gold medal at the expense of Khan in the ne-waza 52kg division. [9] [10]

Napolis won a gold at the 2023 World Combat Games in Riyadh in the 52kg. [11]

At the 2025 World Games, Napolis won a silver medal in the ne-waza 52kg losing to Im Eon-ju of South Korea due to her opponent's advantage after a 2-2 draw. [12]

References

  1. "Asian Games medalists Ramirez, Napolis honored in Muntinlupa". Manila Bulletin. November 9, 2023. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
  2. 1 2 Go, Beatrice (July 25, 2018). "Look: Meggie Ochoa surprises Pinay foe with birthday gift". Rappler. Archived from the original on July 18, 2022. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
  3. Lomibao, Jun (May 4, 2023). "Napolis, Derla break ice in SEAG". BusinessMirror. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
  4. "Meggie Ochoa, Annie Ramirez secure golden double for Philippines". September 19, 2017. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
  5. Naredo, Camille (August 24, 2018). "Asian Games: Meggie Ochoa outduels compatriot Kaila Napolis for jiu-jitsu bronze". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
  6. Matel, Philip (September 19, 2019). "Meggie Ochoa, 2 others deliver jiu-jitsu gold medals". ESPN. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
  7. Verora, Levi Joshua Jr. (May 10, 2023). "SEAG: Napolis says change in technique led to jiu-jitsu gold" . Retrieved August 10, 2025.
  8. Andaya, Ed; Ferreras, Gab (November 23, 2021). "Sky is the limit for jiu-jitsu star Kaila Napolis". Journal Online. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
  9. Navarro, June (May 4, 2023). "Kaila Napolis gets sweet payback on decorated Cambodian foe for SEA Games gold" . Retrieved August 10, 2025.
  10. "SEA Games: BJJ's Kaila Napolis nabs 1st PH gold". ABS-CBN News. May 4, 2023. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
  11. Villar, Joey (October 27, 2023). "Napolis bags World Crown". The Philippine Star. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
  12. "Kaila Napolis bags ju-jitsu silver as Team PH gets on board in World Games". ABS-CBN News. August 10, 2025. Retrieved August 10, 2025.