AFTER proving his dominance in his weight division Mt. Province arnisador Randal Kevin Lumiwes automatically gained a spot in the Arnis Team Philippines, which are set to compete in upcoming international contests.
Lumiwes recently won took the gold medal in the middle weight division during the Arnis National Encounter held at SM North Edsa, Quezon City in the full contact category.
The 19-year old third year Criminology student Lumiwes had to fight two players from Bicol and Iloilo in a knock-out system from four equally talented arnisadores where one player from the Philippine Air Force had the last seat in the game.
Joined by coach Rey Samson and senior player Edward Solang during the selection, Lumiwes automatically took the weight class by storm. He was earlier asked to try out for the national squad after his series of victories in other arnis tournaments since 2007.
Lumiwes also had a strong silver finish in last year’s arnis tournament, also at the Mall of Asia, in the half middle weight event where Arlette Widiwidan, a team mate of Lumiwes took the bronze medal in the feather weight division.
With this, the tae kwon do varsity at the Mt. Province State Polytechnic College will continue his training at the Salaknib gym, also in Bontoc where he is a member.
Lumiwes will see action in an international event at the Mall of Asia in Pasay City together with some members of the Philippine team which came from the winners of the different national tournament including the Philippine Olympic Festival and the Palarong Pambansa.
The upcoming tournament will to be hosted by the Arnis Pederasyong Internasyonal, Inc. (i-Arnis International) which will be participated in by ten nations. (Roderick Osis)