SOFIA Agullo, 15, grew up being fascinated by martial artists seen on television.
That led the Grade 10 University of Immaculate Concepcion (UIC) student to eventually take karatedo as a sport.
She recently brought home a gold medal in girls 14 to 15 kata division of the 2017 Adidas BMP International Karate Championships held at the Music Hall, Mall of Asia in Manila.
"It was my own decision to join karate, my parents were just there willing to support me in everything I do," the 3rd kyu brown-belt t said in an interview with SunStar Davao at the Beefit Gym Mt. Apo in Davao City.
It was in 2013 when Agullo joined Association for the Advancement of Karatedo (AAK)-Davao under chief instructor Rommel Tan. On the same year she competed in her first tournament and went home with a bronze in kata.
Agullo then joined different competitions including the 2013 Milo AAK Super Karate Kids in Manila and clinched her first gold.
"After that event, we joined the 3rd Adidas BMP International Karate Championships and I got gold again in kata," she said.
She recalled being discouraged when her academics suffered as she achieved more in her sport. Thus, she took a break from competition. She was also disappointed when she failed to win a medal in a tournament in Malaysia.
"By the time I stopped, I missed the sport a lot and I kept on thinking of it all the time," Agullo said, adding that she redeemed herself when she returned to Malaysia and came home with a gold.
She was feted as outstanding athlete for karatedo in the 2016 So Kim Cheng Sports Awards Night, just one of her growing collection of accomplishments since her comeback.
Agullo aims to play in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
"I still have three years to train, I still need to improve more, but I will do my best because it is my dream," she said.