Cebu's next target, Guinness record in arnis

CEBU, Philippines - After the highly-successful conduct of the 1st Cebu Chess Festival, which centerpiece is Cebu's attempt to break the Guinness record for the "World's Largest Chess Tournament", the Cebu City Sports Commission under the dynamic leadership of Edward Hayco aims to accomplish such monumental feat next year, this time in the sport of arnis.

Hayco firmly believes that such campaign will further boost the popularity of arnis not only in the Philippines but also all over the world.

“A year from now, we’re planning to set another record. This time in our very own sport, which is arnis. It’s Cebu’s pride that in stick fighting, it’s the Cebuanos who reign supreme. A Guinness record will further establish that supremacy,” said Hayco.

Hayco said they will follow the same strategy they used in accumulating 43,157 participants in the Cebu Chess Festival over the weekend.

As part of their preparations for the said project, Hayco said they will craft an extensive training program up to the grassroots level that will be handled by volunteer arnis masters, coaches and athletes.

As to what category they will be applying, Hayco said will still have to consult Guinness on what entry is applicable. They will also inquire for the standards and requirements for it to be accomplished.

Under the reins of Hayco, CCSC has already secured a Guinness record for the World's Largest Dance Class on June 27, 2009 at the Cebu City Sports Center.

The historic event initiated by Dancesport Team Cebu International attracted 7,770 participants to easily wipe up the previous record of 2, 289 set by Elefta Tosok Tornaja and Norbert Schobert on May 23, 2009 at the Puskas Stadium in Budapest, Hungary.

Cebu has a pending Guinness record bid in chess when 2, 800 young panwpushers battled it out for top honors at the CCSC grandstand over the weekend.

The current record for the 'World’s Largest Chess Tournament' in Board Game category is held by Russia with 1, 214 entries in an event organized by Eugenie Kuznitsov on June 2, 2007 at the Central City Park in Krasnoyarsk. - THE FREEMAN