Dimla to join pencak silat world championships

CEBU, Philippines – Cebuano martial artist Marniel Dimla hopes to once again bring honor and glory to the country in his return to highly competitive action through the World Championships of Pencak Silat XIII slated on December 123 to 17 in East Jakarta, Indonesia.

This will be Dimla's fourth entry in the World Championships and he yearns to make his best performance even as he just recovered from a foot injury. So far, Dimla won a silver when Singapore hosted the event in 2004.

Dimla, who produced the Philippines' first gold when the country hosted the SEA Games in 2005, is confident of his chances saying he had already beaten a couple of world champions whom he will be fighting again in the Jakarta joust that will be participated in by at least 32 countries.

"I already beat the so-called best in the world. Most likely they will be my opponents again, so I'm confident I'll be able to win a medal in Indonesia," said Dimla, the playing coach of the 18-man PHL contingent. (FREEMAN)