The Middle East Chapter of the International Modern Arnis Federation of the Philippines (IMAFP) recently concluded its first Modern Arnis tournament in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Sponsored and presided over by Master Godofredo Fajardo, IMAFP Commissioner for the Middle East, the well-attended tourney was held at the facilities of Riyadh International School (RIS) on March 3, 2006.
It was a highly successful and well-attended event. Several martial arts club fielded more than sixty competitors, representing many nationalities including Americans. The following major martial arts groups, coming mostly from Jeddah, Dammam and Riyadh, competed in the tournament :
1. Lapunti de Abanico
2. Jetkido Arnis
3. Jeetkunedo Arnis
4. Counter-Force Arnis
5. Panthers Martial Arts Federation (PMAF)
6. Filipino Fighting Arts Int’l, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (FFAI-KSA)
The following are the results of the competition.
Forms (Anyo) Competition
Champion, Adults – Gil Cabual
1st Place – Hassan Yahya, Lapunti
2nd Place – Abdulah Aljahany and Nathan Walker, FFAI
Champion, Children – Munin , PMAF
Mano-Mano Competition
Champion – Alexis Mauri P. Galye, Jetkido
5’1” – 5’2” Category
Champion -Herry Jiapno, Jetkido
1st Place -Mohamad Motairi, Jeetkunedo
2nd Place - Jessi Barrion, Lapunti
5’3” – 5’4” Category
Champion – Lito Padios, Lapunti
1st Place – Larry Velasco, Jeetkunedo
2nd Place – Arnold Mercado, CounterForce and Adul Hadi, FFAI
5’5” – 5’6” Category
Champion – Dexter Faeldo, PMAF
1st Place – Abrogar Emy, PMAF
2nd Place – Amado Mistos, PMAF
3rd Place – Al Houti, FFAI
5’7’ – 5’8” Category
Champion – Rodolfo Templo, Jetkido
1st Place – Nathan Walker, FFAI
2nd Place – Japer Albwardi – FFAI
5’9” – 5’10” Category
Champion - Glen Imaun, Jetkido
1st Place – Musa Hindi, Jetkido
2nd Place – Hassan Yayah, Lapunti and Salman Almotairi, FFAI
5’11” – 6’2” Category
Champion – Fahad Alrauf, Jeetkunedo
1st Place – Justo Villarobin, Jetkido
2nd Place – Jerry McDonald, FFAI
Team Championships
Champion – Jetkido Arnis Club
1st Place – Filipino Fighting Arts Int’l (FFAI)
2nd Place – Arnis Lapunti de Abanico
Best Referee – Mr. Antonio, Jr., PMAF
Best Leadership Instructor Award – Mohammed Issa Al Issa, FFAI
Master Godofredo Fajardo praised all the participating clubs and competitors for the spirited and high-level competition, and thanked IMAF-KSA President guro Ghazzi Al-Turaifi as well as other organizers and volunteers of the event. Already, plans are being formulated for next year’s event.