Atos Jiu-Jitsu Philippines, Margarita ‘Meggie’ Ochoa achieved an amazing feat: becoming world Jiu-Jitsu champion at blue belt. Meggie relied on raised money through Crowdfunding from members of the BJJ community of the Philippines (from various academies) to fund her trip to California. She did not disappoint them! This isn’t her first time, as she also won the worlds last year at white belt.
Manila Coconuts has more:
Ochoa went through crowdfunding not by joining these crowdfunding sites. Instead, she created makeachamp.com to help raise enough funding for her to attend the World Jiu Jitsu meet. Thankfully, she was able to raise a little over USD$4,000 for her airfare, accommodation, fees and food.
“I don’t know where to begin,” the athlete writes on Facebook. “It’s all still so surreal to me.
“Last year, this was all just a dream to me. I had no international competition experience, took a leap of faith, and crowdfunded my way to the world championships as a white belt through MAKEACHAMP.com. That marked the beginning of our shared journey.
“With the ultimate goal of being a world champion at every belt level, I made a promise to keep the dream alive as long as I live and to share with you all the struggles and triumphs along the way.
Now, WE won the gold in 2 out of 5 belt levels! OUR hand was raised yesterday at the worlds as a blue belt!”
We hear you, ma’am! Congratulations!
Meggie wrote on her Facebook:
