DABAWENYO Ryan Cordero of Mandirigmang Kaliradman (MK) Bagani Martial Arts clinched two bronze medals in the first Singapore International Stick Fighting Challenge held November 12 at Tanglin Community Club in Whitley Rd., Singapore.
Cordero placed third in open weight division padded stick without armor and live stick with armor.
Cordero was the only Filipino representative to participate in the event that attracted some 40 participants from different countries.
Cordero, in a Facebook chat with VoxPop Davao, said MK Bagani Martial Arts and the City Government of Davao through the Sports Development Division of the City Mayor's Office (SDD-CMO) and other supporters helped raised funds for his trip.
The 37-year-old arnisador also said that he had a hard time in adjusting with rules which he thought of similar with Wekaf and Bali stick fighting.
He added that there were techniques that he was not familiar with that made him struggle in his first 10 fights.
"Though it was difficult, I managed to reach the semi-finals for padded stick and live stick," Cordero said, adding he was glad that his opponents in earlier matches thought he should have won his last fight favored him in his last fight.
Cordero was recently invited to pay SDD-CMO officer-in-charge
Michael Denton Aportadera a courtesy visit.
The stick master hopes to return to Singapore next year and will train hard to bring home the gold.