Full contact league held

THE first-ever Gan Soo Do Grandmaster's Cup Full Contact League Tournament held at the Matina Town Square in Davao City recently brought together martial arts clubs of various disciplines from Panabo City, Agusan, Iligan and Davao City.

Jerry Fornolles, a 4th dan Gan Soo Do blackbelt and clubmaster of Fightyard Spartan Gan Soo Do, told Sun.Star Davao yesterday during a phone interview that the event aimed to bring the martial arts community closer.

Gan Soo Do Philippines founder Steve Grandeza, through Coach Ely Gamboa's messenger, expressed his belief in the efficacy of martial arts styles and underscored the importance of tolerance among brothers-in-arms from other disciplines.

"We could evidently see that GSD has proven and tested its skills and techniques with the vast exposure to competition outside its comfort zone. Equally important, we have shown that we can coexist with humility amongst other martial arts styles," Grandeza said in his message.

He added, "I put faith in the abilities and attitudes of my instructors and students that the art may prosper not only in combat, but also through time."

"The five-year plan for Gan Soo Do Philippines Inc., I could say, was fully achieved and executed with the exponential growth of our clubs, blackbelts, instructors and events such as the 1st Grandmaster's Cup Gan Soo Do Tournament," Grandeza said.

The growth of GSD from Philippines to Qatar, Dubai, New Zealand and Canada, according to Grandeza, realized his grandfather Casimiro Grandeza's dream to have a school of martial arts under his name.

"My purpose of existence is for the realization of his dream: to show my gratitude for all of his contributions in my life and to the world of martial arts as well," he said.