KSDB fighters start strong in WEKAF qualifying tourney

CEBU, Philippines - Doroteo Opigar Sr. and David Ian King of Kauswagan Self Defense Brotherhood (KSDB) set off their respective title bids on a bright note in the World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (WEKAF) 2nd Qualifying Tournament witnessed by a sizeable crowd yesterday at the Parkmall atrium.

Opigar completely dominated Anecito Ochea of Lapu-Lapu Eskrima, disarming his hapless foe in the third round en route to a lopsided unanimous decision victory in the seniors 40-to-55 years old category of single stick sparring competition.

King had a far easy assignment than Opigar, winning by default against JR Montelibano of Parian Eskrima.

On the other hand, Jaime Sumalinog and Al John Jumao-as, both of the Lapu-Lapu City-based RR de Combate, suffered contrasting fates.

Sumalinog edged out Marvin Cinco of Naga/San Fernando Arnis Club by majority decision in their boys 16-17 super lightweight duel, while Jumao-as fell prey to Jordan Epram Cabañog of Mandaue Eskrima by unanimous verdict.

Cinco did not go home empty handed though as he ruled the traditional men’s 18-39 classification of the forms competition.

In the boys 16-17 lightweight category, Donald Commendador of Mandaue Eskrima escaped with a split decision triumph over Felipe Robellos of Naga/San Fernando Arnis Club.

The rest of the results in the sparring contest were not yet available as of this writing.

In sayaw or forms event, Miguel Angel Manguera of Banilad and Jay Vincent Llanita of Mandaue Eskrima topped the non-traditional boys 9-1l and 12-15 age brackets, respectively.

Cris Niño Gimena of Mandaue lorded it over in the traditional boys 12-15 class, while Marivic Maratas of Abellana National School Arnis Team (ANSAT) reigned supreme in the girls 16-17 category.

In the non-traditional girls 12-15, Mary Ephraim Arcilla of Banilad defeated Jerumi Garcia of ANSAT for the title.

Supported by Atan Guardo, YO.U, Gervince, Xkrim and Parkmall, the one-day tilt is part of a rigorous selection process aimed at scouting for potential representatives of the Philippines to the 2010 World Arnis Championships in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Before the no-holds-barred showdown of stickfighting skills, a simple opening ceremony took place graced by WEKAF president emeritus Supreme Grandmaster Dionisio “Dionnie”, WEKAF vice president Gerald O. Cañete, Allan Torrevillas on behalf of Atan Guardo, and a bunch of arnis grandmasters here and abroad.—EBV . (THE FREEMAN)