DAVAO City's member Sharmaine Florece, Jahaziel Care Barbero and Jay Verdadero of King's Sword Martial Arts annexed gold medals in the National Muay Thai Championships 2017 that came to a close in Manila over the weekend.
Florece, 22, subdued Maria Theresa Laudi of Cagayan de Oro (CDO) Elorde to rule the 70 kilogram (kg) senior female advance event.
The former national team earlier defeated another contender from CDO Christine Joyce Vega in the elimination round of the event that attracted a total of 164 martial artists.
The 12-year-old Barbero, for her part, beat Learene Garambas of Sablan Benguet in the finals of the 45 kg junior female novice event.
Verdadero, meanwhile, outclassed Ebelito Sabuso of Las Piñas City after he clobbered Baguio City's Moises Manangyao in the 63 kg senior male novice division.
Florece, in a Facebook interview with Sun.Star Davao, said the experience won them not just the gold but new friends, too.
"We really enjoyed it so much. We found favor in the sight of the Lord," she said.
Before bringing home another honor for Davao City, the team almost didn't make it to the nationals due to financial constraints.
"I thought hindi na ako makakasama kasi kulang sa budget and nag pray lang ako na sana makasama ako. So ayun sinabihan ako ni Sir Nell na sasama ako," Florece said.
Despite being a former national team member, Florece still succumbed to jitters during her first bout as her rival was bigger than her.
"I thought matatalo na ako pero iniisip ko nalang si Lord na para sa Kanya ginagawa ko. Habang nasa loob ako ng ring sinasabi ko na lang na `Thank You Lord. I praise You Jesus' at ayun nanalo na pala ako, akala ko matatalo ako kasi kapos na kapos na ako sa hangin but I see the miracle of God. It was like David and Goliath fight," Florece said, adding that she leaned on the Bible verse Jeremiah 29:11 to strenghten her.
She also said, "Overwhelmed ako masyado and nag o-overflow ang joy." She thanked King's Sword Martial Arts president Nell Jone Astudillo for trusting and molding them both physically and spiritually.
The King's Sword team was coached by James Surrel and Eliseo Lota.