New wushu center second overall in 2010 nationals

MANILA, Philippines -  Wushu Discovery Chinese Martial Arts Training Center entries, led by triple gold medalist Christian Fallarme, bagged second overall in the recent 2010 National Wushu Championships held at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Coached by former wushu world champion Mark Robert Rosales, the 26-year-old Fallarme bagged gold medals in the chang quan (barehand), dao shu (broad sword) and qiang shu (spear) as the center garnered seven golds, six silvers and three bronzes in the two-day tournament organized by the Wushu Federation of the Philippines.

Also emerging champions were Jemimah Balares (Group B chang quan), Angelina Macaranas (Group B nan quan), Tate Matthew Chuang (Group A san lu quan) and Mia Elaine Collao (Group C jian shu [sword]).

Jerick Anthony Ramos snared three silvers in the Group C chang quan, jian shu and qiang shu while Mark Joseph Bayon also had a silver medal each in the Group B chang quan and dao shu.

Joreen Diane Loreto likewise placed second in the Group A san lu quan to round up Wushu Discovery Center’s silver medalists in the event graced by POC president Jose Cojuangco Jr. and PSC chairman Richie Garcia.

Ellen Ang settled for a bronze medal in the 24-step taiji quan, Joseph Santos in the Group B nan quan and teen actress Bea Binene, who has been training only for a year with the club (center), in the san lu quan.

“Although we have only been around for three years, we are pleased that 16 of the 28 entries we fielded in the tournament were able to bring home medals,” said Wushu Discovery administrator Ang following the strong showing of the center.

“At Wushu Discovery, our classes are designed to unleash the full potential of our students, who also grow in self-confidence and discipline as they continue to advance in the sport,” Ang added.

She noted that because of the natural grace and agility of Filipinos, wushu is one sport where they can excel and become world-class like Rosales, who won the cudgels gold medal in the 1997 World Wushu Championships in Rome.

Those interested to take up the sport at the Wushu Discovery Chinese Martial Arts Training Center can call tel. Nos. 454-3017, 480-1508, 0918-9093275, e-mail [email protected], or visit the gym located on Mindanao Av. corner Road 3, Project 6, Quezon City.