Cebuano-led RP Team aims for gold rush in 9th WEKAF tourney

All the members of Cebuano-laden Team Philippines to the 9th World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (WEKAF) Championships bear a daunting task of winning gold in their respective events in the week-long arnisfest set from July 2-9 at the Dolphin Hotel situated inside the Disneyworld in Orlando, Florida.

"Our main goal is that all our players should win the gold in their respective events. I know it's tough, but highly probable," said WEKAF-Philippines director and the country's deputy head of delegation Engr. Michael Cañete.

In an effort to bolster their chances of collecting more medals, Cañete said he will appeal to the organizing committee for the Filipino stickfighters to be allowed to compete in more than one categories.

"Usually an athlete will be allowed to compete in only one category. Hopefully we will be exempted from that ruling," said Cañete.

A total of 130 categories will be featured in the biennial sports conclave that originated in the Queen City of the South.

Cañete is confident that the Pinoy arnisador would fare well in the tournament owing to their spartan-like training regimen for several months now.

"We've done out best as far as training is concerned. Our athletes gave their 100 percent during training, hopefully they will also give their 100 hundred in the competition," said Cañete.

Including the officials, Team Philippines will be fielding in a 34-man contingent to the world arnis championships led by Cebu City Councilor Raul "Yayoy" Alcoseba as delegation head.

Aside from Alcoseba, on hand to give the RP athletes the much-needed moral support in yesterday's send-off rites at the Cebu Coliseum was Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael L. Rama.

Alcoseba will be joined in his US trip by Michael Cañete, Edsel Galeos, University of Cebu athletic director Bernard Ricablanca, Jose Borces, Daisy Jimenez, Grace Sarmago Galeos, University of San Carlos VP for finance and Philippine Sports Commission-7 consulants Fr. Vic Uy, SVD, and Victor Tiu Jnr.

Those who will fight for the flag and country in the Florida event are Randy Angeles, Remegio Berandot, Joseph Baron, Ephrem Martinez, Dwight Abarquez, Renato del Rosario, Christian Sapanghila, Craig Campomanes, April Max Caballes, John Kenneth Ferraren, Jerry Tañajura, and Rodulfo Angeles Jr.

Completing the roster of RP combatants who are supported by the Cebu City government, US president Atty. Augusto W. Go, and WEKAF president emeritus Atty. Dionisio Cañete, Emelio Cuevas, Ariel Gerat, Francis Berizo, Marie Therese Borces, Rowena Opigal, Angelita Guballa, Ruth Arcilla, Maribeth de Castro, Maximo Caballes, Isidro Castro, Ray Rubin Chan, and June Babe Caballes.