Team USA all set to defend title Bulk of participants due today for 12th WEKAF Championship and Congress

CEBU, Philippines - Team United States hopes to once again shatter the Philippines' "homecourt advantage" as they defend their title in the 12th World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (WEKAF) Championship and Congress set on July 18-24 at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC).

"US is always happy to come here. We are very eager to compete. We came here to win and we will give our very best to do that," said Antonio Lucero of Team USA during the event's final press conference yesterday at the Golden Peak Hotel.

During the last time that PHL hosted the biennial gathering of the world's top eskrima masters four years ago at Ayala Center Cebu, the Americans dislodged the Filipino stick-fighters from the overall championship by just a single gold medal.

"These people don't like to lost so we have to do our best," said WEKAF Chairman Emeritus and Supreme Grandmaster Dionisio "Diony" Cañete of the visiting Americans.

However, the Phl's chances of reclaiming its lost pride and glory in the biggest and most prestigious arnis competition on the planet looks bright, according to incumbent WEKAF president Master Gerald Cañete.

"We have a very good chance of winning the overall championship. With at least 120 competitors, we make it sure that we are well represented in all categories that will be contested. Our fighters have also trained hard for this event so our chances of taking the title looks bright," said Master Gerald.

Aside from the Americans, Cañete said the other strong contenders in the six-day tilt are Australia and Reunion Island of France, which is fielding in 40 bets.

The rest of the participating nations include Belgium, Hong Kong, Canada, India, Indonesia, South Korea, Hungary, Ireland, Norway, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, England, Oman, Spain, Scotland, Iran, Egypt, Puerto Rico, Lichtenstein, Switzerland, Sweden, Vietnam, Greece, Germany and Mexico.

Prior to the tournament proper, the WEKAF Congress will take place tomorrow at the Amnezia Super Club in north reclamation area.

After the Congress, WEKAF will bestow a distinct honor to 15 eskrima greats - the Order of Datu Lapu-Lapu - for their invaluable contribution in the study, practice and promotion of the indigenous Filipino martial art. The conferment rites is scheduled at 7 pm.

The first batch of honorees who will be enshrined into the hallowed portals of the newly-built Shrine of Eskrima located at the Doce Pares Mountain Park in Brgy. Malubog, Cebu City is led by WEKAF Chairman Emeritus and Supreme Grandmaster Dionisio "Diony" Cañete.

SGM Diony Cañete will be joined by his uncle Ciriaco "Noy Cacoy" O. Cañete of Cacoy Doce Pares, Bonifacio "Loloy" Uy of BDU Eskrima Club, Isidro Casio of San Miguel Eskrima Club, Andres "Cano" Cañete of San Miguel Eskrima, Nick Elizar of Nickel Stick Balintawak, Rodrigo Maranga of Eskrima Maranga Kombati, Prudencio "Ondo" Caburnay of Lapunti Eskrima de Abaniko, Felix "Tenciong" Gutang of Doce Pares, Pacito Velez of Balintawak International, and Alfredo Carin of Carin Eskrima Club.

To be conferred with such great honor from the US are GMs Arnulfo "Dong" Cuesta of FIMA Academy/Doce Pares USA, Max M. Pallen of Senkotiros, Dr. Carlos N. Patalinghug, Sr. of Kick Connection/Doce Pares and Dexter Labonog of Martial Art Club. - THE FREEMAN