Team Philippines' Kimberly Custodio. Photo from Philippine Sports Commission
BANGKOK -- Kimberly Custodio may already be a three-time JJIF world champion, but she could not hold back her tears after striking gold in her first-ever Southeast Asian Games.
Custodio has dedicated her life to jiu-jitsu, focusing on the sport for the past 11 years.
Her victory was not just for herself, but for a bigger purpose related to the sport.
Before the regional showcase, Custodio told ABS-CBN News she was coming in without any expectations aside from doing her best in her debut.
But having world championship DNA lit the fire inside her, as she exerted dominance in the three matches on the way to the gold medal round.
In the final, Custodio was able to find an opening and gain three crucial points that ultimately sealed her the victory over the hometown bet.
"Sobrang nakakatuwa kasi first time ko mag-move up ng weight division. Sabi ko nga sa ’yo hindi ako nag-expect manalo. Pero sa awa ng Diyos at hard work ng coaches ko at teammates ko, nagbunga din," she told POC Media after her win.
READ: SEA Games: Custodio, Roxas bag golds as jiu-jitsu delivers six medals
Custodio was all smiles and jumping after her win, taking in the cheers from the very energetic Filipino crowd in attendance at the Royal Thai Air Force Academy.
"Grabe 'yung support ng mga Pilipino dito. Sobrang happy kasi nagbunga lahat ng paghihirap namin ng coaches ko, ng mga teammates ko saka ng mga taong nagtitiwala sa akin," she said.
Custodio's tears flowed when she went up the podium, turning more emotional when the Philippine national anthem played in the stadium.
At 38, Custodio still has a lot she wants to accomplish in her caree,r including winning the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games and Asian Games, among others.
But her highest goal is not for personal gain, but for the next generation of Filipino jiu-jitsu athletes.
"'Yung pinaka-ultimate goal ko talaga is 'yung mga students ko makarating sa narating ko ngayon at ma-feel nila 'yung nafi-feel kong joy ngayon. So 'yun talaga ultimate goal ko, pagalingin students ko at sino man 'yung gustong gumaling sa jiu-jitsu," Custodio said.
As the jiu-jitsu team delivered two gold medals for the country in the SEA Games, she believes this shows the huge potential and need for support for the sport.
The jiu-jitsu team so far has two gold medals, one silver, and five bronze medals in the regional showcase.
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