IMAFP Conducts its First Modern Arnis Goodwill Tournament
in Saudi Arabia
By Jay de Leon

     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:
Lapunti de Abanico
Jetkido Arnis
Jeetkunedo Arnis
Counter-Force Arnis
Panthers Martial Arts Federation (PMAF)
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.

Gallery of the 1st Modern Arnis Goodwill Tournament in Saudi Arabia 2006

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