Local Martial Artist shines at World Championships

LOCAL MARTIAL ARTISTS SHINE AT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Pallen’s Martial Arts of San Leandro served as the training ground for fourteen students who recently made an impressive showing at the 15th World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (WEKAF) World Championships held on the Hawaiian island of Maui. These local competitors from as young as 7 years old up to 60 years of age proudly represented Team USA at the event and brought home a total of 16 gold medals, 8 silver medals and 7 bronze medals.

WEKAF is the oldest and most prestigious organization governing competition in the weapons-based martial arts native to the Philippines. The tournament, which took place from July 19th through the 22nd, drew national teams from Asia, Europe, North America, Australia, and the Pacific region. Pallen students competed in all the various divisions. These included forms using both single and double weapons, padded stick and knife combat, single and double “live” stick fighting using rattan sticks and special protective gear, and rattan staff fighting known as “bankaw.”

The local contingent was headed by Grandmaster Jordan Pallen, himself a prior World Champion. Grandmaster Pallen stated, “I am so proud of all our competitors who fought hard with great skill and demonstrated honor and respect. It’s not always about winning, it’s about having that winning attitude. Pallen Breed has been training champions, in and out of the ring, since 1968.”

Team Pallen competitors at the World Championships included Elizabeth Barr, Nikki Bonato, Vincenzo Bonato, Lantis Chung, Richard “Tres” Fregosa III, Augustine Garcia, Kalilla Garcia, Salvador Garcia, Cedric Novenario, Colin Novenario, Vanessa Ortiz-Pallen, Jessie Pallen, JT Paulino, and Jim Schaufele.