MANILA – At 39 years old, Kimberly Custodio proved that consistency and discipline pay off after winning her fourth gold at the JJIF World Championships earlier this month in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Custodio ruled the adult female – 45kg division defeating home bet Mariam Alali in the final, giving her a fourth JJIF World Championship gold.
For the decorated athlete, this gold medal carries a different meaning than her previous achievements.
"Sobrang sweeter siya this time kasi at 39 [years old], kaya ko pa ring makipaglaban sa adults, and then nagawa ko siya 4 times. So, ibig sabihin, hindi na luck 'yun. Consistency na siya," Custodio told ABS-CBN News in an exclusive interview last Saturday.
"So, nagbubunga na lahat ng trabaho namin for years. Kasi hindi ko lang naman ito tinrain ng weeks, months. Tinrain ko ito for 12 years. So, alam mo 'yun, the work speak for itself na right now," she added.
While there are some that believe athletes lose their strength or skill as they age, Custodio said her achievements at 39 years old prove otherwise.
"Wala 'yun sa age. Depende 'yun sa iyo kung how hard you're willing to work for it. So alam ko kasi I'm not the youngest athlete here. So I have to work harder, I have to work smarter. Sa akin kasi gusto ko lang kahit ganon sila kabata, gusto ko i-outwork ko silang lahat," she explained.
"Sobrang nag-focus ako ngayon sa nutrition ko, sa health. And hard work, consistency, every day. Alam ko, pag nakikita ko 'yung mga batang opponents ko nag-train, hindi ako makatulog nun. Gusto ko mag-train din ako. Gusto ko lagi ina-outwork ko lahat ng tao. So at 39, andito pa rin ako sa top physique," Custodio pointed out.
After getting her fourth JJIF World Championship, the jiu-jitsu athlete made sure to celebrate and savor the victory with her partner, coach, and fellow national team member Myron Mangubat.
Now that they're back home, the couple have returned to rigorous training especially since Custodio is gearing up for her first Asian Games.
"Nag-celebrate lang ako nang konti. Pero ako kasi 'yung taong mag-celebrate lang nang konti. And then, alam kong may Asian Games pa. So, back to work na ulit. Three times a day na ulit nag-train," Custodio shared.
"Sa first Asian Games ko, pareho siya nung SEA Games. Parang, okay, bagong challenge. Alam ko, sobrang mahihirapan ako, pero ilalaban ko nang patayan 'to. If ever makaisa man sila sa akin, sure ako, hindi ko ibibigay ng easy 'yun sa kanila," she added.
Last December, Custodio struck gold in her debut at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games.
But with tougher competition in the Asian Games along with her moving up to the 48kg division, she is not leaving anything to chance.
"Nung lumalaban ako ng Worlds, alam mo 'yun, alam ko, tinitingnan na nila ako and then ang dami nang nagfo-follow sa akin na coaches na sa Instagram na from other countries," Custodio shared.
"Pero for me kasi 'yung pressure, parang hindi ko na iniisip na pressure 'yun. Excitement para sa akin 'yun. Excited ako, i-test talaga 'yung self ko," she said.
Custodio and Mangubat will continue training for the Asian Games at home, with the goal of helping their students and training partners level up their skills.
The 39-year-old, who is also a coach, has emphasized that one of her main goals is to help her students reach or even surpass her achievements on the mats.
"Hindi lang namin pinagaling ni Myron 'yung sarili namin. Pinagaling namin lahat ng students namin para hindi kami lumabas ng bansa. Meron kaming mga magagaling na training partners dito," she shared.
"Hindi lang kami nagti-train for Asian Games. 'Yung mga teammates din namin, parang sila nagti-train din sila for Asian Games or for future competition nila. 'Yun 'yung advantage ko din. Kasi kahit hindi na ako nagte-training outside the country, may magagaling talaga akong training partners dito," Custodio added.
With Custodio being among the decorated members of the national team, she hopes her determination, consistency, and discipline rub off on her younger teammates.
"Wala kasing substitute sa hard work. So, you really have to work hard. Hindi like twice a day, hindi twice a month or twice a week, ganun. Dapat maging consistent ka, dapat sobrang maging disciplined ka. Ikaw mismo sa sarili mo, alam mo, you really have to work hard even though walang may nanonood," she said.