Aleia Aielle Aguilar added another milestone in her budding career as she won the title in the Kids 2, Girls Gi, 22-kilogram Class A event of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship (AJP) at the Madubala Arena in Abu Dhabi recently.

Coming from a family of combat sports experts, the eight-year-old Aguilar proved to be too strong for Sarah Abuhijleh of the United Arab Emirates to rule the grey belt division final of this prestigious international event.

It was the fourth world title of Aguilar in the AJP World Championship, which is arguably the biggest and most prestigious jiu-jitsu event in Abu Dhabi.

Prior to clinching the gold medal, Aguilar overcame Maitha Almas of UAE via submission armbar in the semifinals, much to the delight of a huge crowd that witnessed some of the world’s finest young combat sports fighters in action.

“I’m so thankful to God that I won again,” said Aguilar, whose father, Alvin, is regarded as the founding father of Filipino mixed martial arts in the country.

“Thank you all, especially those who have been giving me encouraging words before this event.”

She added that her success didn’t happen overnight as she trains hard at such a young age to emerge as one of the world’s best jiu-jitsu fighter.

“I focus on every move. Be patient in practice because that is the key to winning,” added Aguilar, who had also won two prestigious titles — the IBJJF PAN kids in Orlando, Florida, and the Marianas Open in Guam — aside from that from Abu Dhabi.