1st Open Invitational Karatedo and Modern Arnis Tournament
Held in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
By Jay de Leon

     The !st Open Invitational Karatedo and Modern Arnis Tournament was held recently at the Power House Gym in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This was a joint project of the Okinawan Shorin-Ryu Karate Association (OSKA), Barbin Martial Arts Association (BMAA) under Shihan Abdul Karim, and International Modern Arnis of the Philippines and Filipino Fighting Arts International underPunong Guro (Chief Instructor) Manuel Maer.
     In addition to the host schools, the other schools that participated included the Lapunti Arnis Club, Panthers Commando Martial Arts Club, Desert Falcon Martial Arts Association and the Power House Martial Arts Club.

Winners of the competition included the following:

• Anyo (Form) champion – Hassan Yahya Handi (Lapunti), 1st runner-up – Jessie Barrion (Lapunti), and 2nd runner-up – Cino Ambe (Lapunti)
• Over-all Champion – Lapunti Arnis Club, 1st runner-up – Panthers Commando Martial Arts Club, 2nd runner-up – Desert Falcon Martial Arts Association
• Laban-Laro (Sparring) Competition
  • 5’1”-5’3” Champion – Roilan Perocho (Panthers), 1st runner-up – Jessie Barrien (Lapunti), 2nd runner-up – Roderick Laroza (Panthers).
  • 5’4”-5’7” Champion – Henry Sawangin (Panthers), 1st runner-up – Arrayyan Rodico, 2nd runner-up – Sanny Sawlles (Desert Falcon)
    5’8”-6’0” – Champion – Hassan Yahya (Lapunti)

     The Filipino Martial Arts competition was sanctioned by the International Modern Arnis of the Philippines under Master Godofredo Fajardo, Commissioner of the Middle East, under authority from the IMAFP Council of Masters in the Philippines headed by GM Rene Tongson.
     As may be seen from the pictures, a good time was had by all. The tournament produced high-level martial arts as well as camaraderie for all the participants and organizers.

The organizers of the event included Mar Berboso, Jaime Abierra,
Dexter Faeldguas, Rodico Arrayyan, Ric Dimapilis and Manuel Maer.

Master Godofredo Fajardo, Commissioner of the Middle East for
International Modern Arnis Federation of the Philippines (IMAFP)
and Founder of Filipino Fighting Arts Int’l (FFAI) (left) poses with
Nate Walker, guro for FFA-Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Copyright Jay de Leon 2007

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