Kimberly Custodio relived her gold medal-winning moment after capturing the women’s -45kg division title at the 2026 JJIF World Ju-Jitsu Championships in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
The victory marked Custodio’s fourth world championship title, adding to the crowns she won in 2022, 2024, and 2025.
The Filipino champion took pride in how she handled the pressure of defending her title and remaining at the top of the world stage.
“Iba rin yung pressure eh, na kailangan ma-defend mo… Ngayon yung pinaka-special kasi for the fourth time na-achieved ko ulit at na-defend yung title ko,” said Custodio.
The proud native of Oton, Iloilo also expressed her pride in representing her hometown whenever she competes on the global stage.
“At least na-prove ko na hindi ko kailangang manggaling sa malaking city para manalo. It depends talaga sa’yo. Sobrang proud ako,” Custodio shared.
Fresh from her world championship triumph, however, Custodio was immediately back to work as she shifts her focus to the 20th Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games next month.
Custodio will make her Asian Games debut and will move up to the women’s 48kg division, where she hopes to deliver another gold-medal performance for the Philippines.
“Back to working hard again kasi may Asian Games pa. Yun talaga kailangang ipanalo rin ng gold kasi first Asian Games ko yun,” said Custodio.
Asked what fans can expect from her Asian Games campaign, Custodio confidently vowed to bring home another medal for the country and set her sights on nothing less than gold.
“I’ll work hard for it, pero ilista nyo na, magme-medal ako sure pero working hard para sa gold medal,” Custodio said.
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