THE Philippine team promised to upstage Team USA in the 14th World Eskrima-Kali Arnis Federation (Wekaf) World Championship on July 20-24 at the J Center Mall in Mandaue City.
Wekaf chairman emeritus and SGM Dionisio Cañete assured the Philippines will try to duplicate its overall championship finish in 2012.
“We lost to America in 2002, in 2004 in 2006, in 2008 and in 2010 before we won in 2012. This year we will again win the overall title,” Cañete said during a press conference at J Center Mall Convention Center yesterday.
A victory of Team Philippines will be also a vengeance of its the to participate in the biennial competition last year in Hungary in 2014.
The Philippines will send a 130-member team who will compete in 100 events.
This year, Wekaf added new categories such as knife fighting and bangkaw.
SGM Cañete was joined by his sons Michael, who is the president of Wekaf Philippines and the chairman of the organizing committee, and Gerald, the executive director of Wekaf and head the marketing and tournament operations.
More than 500 athletes from 30 countries will competing in the five-day event, which will be highlighted by a seminar of GMs on July 25 and 26.
