Arnis fighters pluck 4 mints
I dedicate this win to my mother, who is ailing right now
ANGELES CITY — The Philippines again displayed its prowess in martial arts as the national men’s arnis squad clinched four gold medals in the 30th Southeast Asian Games Sunday at the Angeles University Foundation gym here.
The team of Dexler Bolambao, Nino Mark Talledo, Villardo Cunamay and Mike Banares proved to be too much for their counterparts as they dominated their respective weight categories in the full contact live stick competition.
The Filipinos victories were masterfully done in unanimous fashion, much to the delight of the local crowd, which took advantage of the slow weekend to display their support to the national squad.
Bolambao crushed Myanmar’s Soc Paing in the men’s bantamweight 55kg and below category while Talledo easily beat Vietnam’s Van Kein Vu in the men’s featherweight +55kg-60kg division.
Cunamay, on the other hand, displayed decisive aggressiveness in defeating Cambodia’s Mengly Yong in the men’s lightweight +60kg-65kg division while Banares disposed Vietnam’s Thai Viet Phu in the men’s welterweight +65kg category.
But it was Bolambao who was more emotional as he dedicated his win to his sick mother.
“I dedicate this win to my mother, who is ailing right now,” Bolambao said.
Talledo, on the other hand, said it was an honor to play for the country while Cunamay and Banares were just glad to show their dominance against their foreign counterparts.
Also elated was Philippine Eskrima Kali Arnis Foundation chairman and Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, saying that he is still hoping that arnis will be added in the Asian Games and — if possible — the Olympics.
“We should support the sport and our athletes,” said Zubiri. “Arnis is a popular sport even in the United States and Europe, and the martial art is also being promoted through some Hollywood films.”
Zubiri said the sport is also the country’s “secret weapon,” where the Filipinos can draw 11 to 12 gold medals.
Arnis is a popular sport even in the United States and Europe, and the martial art is also being promoted through some Hollywood films