Making a formidable performance, Ilongga veteran Kimberly Anne Custodio took home the gold medal in the adult female -45kg division of the 2024 JJIF World Championship in Heraklion, Greece, Oct. 25.
The 37-year-old Custodio shrugged off her younger rival Balqees Abdoh Abdulla of the United Arab Emirates to give the Philippines a golden finish in the five-day long tournament.
The grappler from Oton, Iloilo also turned back Turkmenistan’s Hurma Abdyyeva and UAE’s Alshamsi Aysha in the earlier rounds.
It also marked Custodio’s second gold in the competition. She said the matches were easy because she technically prepared this time.
“Sobrang lakas ng training camp na ginawa namin so medyo easy pang yung matches. Nagkaroon lang ng konting fall backs kasi na dislocate ko yung shoulder ko two weeks before the competition so nag struggle ako sa pag cut ng weight kasi hindi ako makapag train two weeks before competition,” Custodio told Iloilo Metropolitan Times.
Following her recent feat, Custodio said she will rest for a while then back to actions once she’s fully recovered. “For now magpapa galing muna ako ng injuries but next year there are SEA Games, Asian Indoor Martial Arts and Asian Championships,” she added.
In the same class, her fellow Filipina Daniela Palanca took home bronze after succumbing to Balqees.
Meanwhile, Jollirine Co plucked silver in the adult female -48kg event where top bet Meggie Ochoa fell short at 7th place.
On the other hand, Kaila Napolis failed to land a medal finish in the women’s -52kg division.IMT Sports
