Emil Cuevas and Jumel Montebon powered the Cacoy Cañete Doce Pares to 16 medals in the 165h World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation last July 17 to 21 at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex.
Cuevas, competing in the 62-kilo below division in the 40 to 57 age group, won a gold in the single stick and a silver in the double stick and team sparring, while Montebon, who fought in the 51-kilo below division of the 18-39 age group, got a gold in the padded stick and a silver each in the single and double stick.
Though one of the youngest in the team, Lauwrins Jhon Sumalinog showed his worth as he brought home three gold medals in the 16 to 17 age group after winning the gold
in the single stick, silver in the double stick and a bronze in the padded stick. Miko Cañete also won a gold in the single stick and a silver in the team sparring in the 18 to 39 age group (73 to 77 kilos), while Elmer Quillano had a gold in the double stick in the 18 to 39 age group (68 to 73 kilos).
“We started preparing during the first week of May but went training full blast in June,” said Cañete.
Rhio Jay Musico also got three medals, a silver in the single stick and team sparring and a bronze in the double stick in the 18 to 39 age group (53 to 57 kilos), while Jazmine Ylaya got a silver in the single stick in the 18 to 39 age group (49 kilos below).
The 16th Wekaf World Championships, the first since the pandemic, attracted close to 400 fighters from different countries.