Davao bets dominate arnis

DAVAO City senior men and junior boys and girls stick masters struck for a total of 18 gold medals, 10 silvers and eight bronzes to rule the Mayor Sara and Vice Mayor Rody Duterte 25th Kadayawan Arnis Tournament at the Gaisano Grand Citi Mall over the weekend.

The Golden Knights of Tagum dominated the children boys and girls categories by hauling eight golds, seven silvers and 15 bronzes to place second over-all.

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General Santos City captured three golds, eight silvers and nine bronzes for third place even as Panabo City salvaged two golds, five silvers and six bronzes.

The knockout format competition was part of the Kadayawan Sports Festival sponsored by the City Government of Davao through the Sports Development Division of the City Mayor's Office (SDD-CMO).

Arnis Philippines Davao head Mario Palazuelo, who organized the tournament, said some 200 participants joined the one-day event.

He said the tournament was part of their year-round program to promote arnis not just in the city but throughout Mindanao.

It can be recalled that Davao City's arnisadors saved the almost total gold medal shutout of the Davao Region in the 2010 Palarong Pambansa held in Tarlac. The arnis team then collected five golds and one silver. (MLSA)