Filipino arnisadors snag 44 golds, 40 silvers, 26 bronzes to grab lead in Wekaf World C’ships
Sending a strong message to the rest of the field in its serious title bid, Filipino stick-fighters took off to a rampaging start in the 14th World Eskrima-Kali-Arnis Federation (Wekaf) World Championships at the Convention Hall of J Centre Mall in Mandaue City.
Team Philippines built a sizable lead against defending champion United States (US) by hauling in 44 gold medals, 40 silvers and 26 bronzes as of 8 p.m. yesterday.
The American eskrimadors took the second spot with 25 golds, 17 silvers and 15 bronzes.
“I hope we can sustain our good start. But we are confident of winning the overall crown. As the host team, we don’t want these visiting teams to beat us,” said Team Philippines coach Cesario Perez of Doce Pares.
Some 30 countries have signed up for the tournament.
Japan was at third place with 14 golds, eight silvers and eight bronzes followed by Canada, which had a 9-9-5 (g-s-b) tally.
Interestingly, Japan had Filipino fighters under its fold.
“We have so many fighters. So we asked the organizing committe some of our fighters can suit up for Japan, and they allowed it. There are at least 18 Filipino fighters playing for Japan,” said Perez.
Australia came in at fifth place with five golds, one silver and two bronzes.
Completing the top 10 were Reunion Island (2-8-9), Hungary (2-6-5), Italy (2-1-5), United Kingdom (1-3-2) and Liechtenstein (0-1-3).
Typifying Team Philippines’ strong start, six Pinoy fighters made it to the “Top 10 Individuals” namely Sebastian Villanueva, Trixie Lofranco, Henry Talledo, Cristhyl Mae Gumajin, Dexler Bolambao and Fabiola Villanueva.
“We have close to 200 fighters and although they came from various places in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, I emphasized to them that we have to work as one team. Our motto is to train hard, strike hard, pray hard and win easy,” said Perez.
Sebastian already collected three golds and silver, Lucero had three golds, while Talledo produced two golds and two silvers.
Gumajin and Bolambao each pocketed two golds, one silver and a bronze, while Fabiola chipped in two golds and a silver.
“We are just doing our best. It feels good winning three golds right away as this is my first time to compete in the World Championships,” said Sebastian, whose gold medals came from sayaw single form, single stick event and synchronized form.
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