KIMBERLY ANNE CUSTODIO won gold in her weight class at the Jiu-Jitsu International Federation World Championships on Wednesday at the Jiu-Jitsu Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The 35-year-old fighter from Iloilo City displayed superb form and strength to outclass Thailand’s Pechrada Kacie Tan, 6-4, in the women’s adult -45 kgs final.
“It’s magical,” Custodio told BusinessMirror via an internet call. Just keep working hard…hard work really pays off.”
Custodio defeated Hamdah Al-Shkeili of Jordan, 14-0, in the quarterfinals and beat another Thai—Tadaporn Sakaew—in the semifinals, 14-0.
Besides Custodio, the other Filipino athletes entered in the event are Myron Myles Mangubat (62 kgs women), Jan Cortez (62 kgs men), Philip Alegre (77 kgs women), Brendo Pudan (69 kgs men), Margarita Ochoa (48 kgs women), Kyla Napolis (57 kgs women) and Ashley Baluyot (52 kgs women).
The tournament runs until Tuesday.
