KSDB dominates WEKAF qualifying tourney

CEBU, Philippines - The spirited stick-fighters from Kauswagan Self-Defense Brotherhood (KSDB) carted away 13 gold and three silver medals to dominate the Cebu leg of the Philippine qualifying tournament for the 12th World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (WEKAF) Championships last week at the Talamban Sports Complex.

Among those who came up with golden performances for KSDB in the single-stick sparring competition were Unefer Coca (14 years old), John Michael Velayo (6-8), Orland Cabras (12) and Alvin Velayo (11) in the juniors boys lightweight division, Frank Joseph Borces (12-13), Henry Velayo (16), and Elmo Malazarte (15) in junior boys heavyweight, James Clark Narvasa (12-13) in junior boys middleweight, and Marie Jucelyn Coca (12) in junior girls lightweight.

KSBD grabbed the rest of its golds from flyweights Julio Divinagracia and Vena Velayo in single-stick sparring and Frank Joseph Borces in boys 14-15 age bracket of sayaw (forms), non-traditional category.

The Cubacub Martial Arts Corporation, Inc. (CMACI) copped the second place honors with 10 golds and five silvers, while San Fernando Arnis Club (SFAC) placed third with seven golds and the same number of silvers. The next two sports were occupied by IBALE with six golds and foul silvers and Hiniusang Kaisug with five golds and silvers apiece.

CMACI got its golds from Roel John Segara (12) in junior boys middleweight single-stick sparring, Roldan Payot (14) in junior boys heavyweight, Mariebeth Villegas (14) in junior girls lightweight, Queenie Mae Vellonta (15) and Kathleen Carl Gadgode (16) in junior girls heavyweight.

In the sayaw (forms) traditional category, CMACI swept four golds from Kim Quirabo (boys 15-17), Roel John Segara (boys 12), Roldan Payot ( boys 13-14), Kathleen Carl Gadgode (girls 14-15) and Jessie Aureen Alivio in the men's division of non-traditional category.

Those who delivered seven gilts for San Fernando AC were Calvin Donaire II (10) in single-stick sparring junior boys middleweight (10), Romeo Bayeta, Jr. (16) in junior boys lightweight, Mark Armano Mira (16) and Christopher John Traya (17) in junior boys middleweight and Kyle Bandayon (15) in junior girls lightweight.

The remaining two were handed over by Cliff Edward Calimbo in men's lightweight single-stick sparring and Jerome Cantro in bantamweight class.

Rounding up the top 10 finishers were Mandaue Stick Fighting with three golds and three silvers, Ronda with three golds and one silver, Balintawak Sugbo with one gold and four silvers, Labangon with one gold and two silvers and Liloan Mixed Martial Arts Club (LIMMACS) with one gold.

The said tournament was part of the extensive selection process to determine the members of the national team that will represent the Philippines to the 12th WEKAF Championships set from July 18 to 24 at the SM City-Cebu Trade Hall.

Similar qualifying tourneys are also being held in Manila, Bicol and Mindanao. All winners will become members of the national training pool where the coaching staff will pick the final composition of the Phl Team. (FREEMAN)