Ex-Ilonggo pugs dominate nat?l wushu championship
By Alex P. Vidal
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 29 Apr 2008
ILOILO CITY ? Inspired by the feats of former boxer-turned-wushu world champion Rene Catalan, Ilonggo boxers who shifted to wushu emerged victorious in the Wushu Federation Philippines National Championship at the Mall of Asia in Pasay City last April 15-16.
Despite finishing third overall, Iloilo Team dominated the female junior sanshou with a smashing 1-2-3 finish in the 48 kg. Norlyn Amat copped the gold after besting teammate Janeth Jaro who won the silver.
The bronze medals were secured by another Iloilo bet Debbie Joy Cabizan and Baguio City?s Sheila Lopao.
Former Iloilo boxer Esmael Camarig, Jr., now member of the RP Team, bested Baguio City?s Edward Kelly, a mixed martial arts champion, for the gold in the male senior 65 kg. Bronze medalists were Victor Elesan of West Visayas State University (WVSU)-Lambunao, Iloilo and Denver Galing of Power Baguio.
Another former Iloilo boxer who is now member of RP Team, Jessie Aligaga of San Miguel, Iloilo trounced Robin Catalan, an Ilonggo who represented Las Pi?as City, for gold in the male senior 48 kg. Third placers were Romeo Alan Balonglong of National Capital Region (NCR) and Iloilo?s Edmundo Arcita.
Other Ilonggo boxers-turned wushu players who scored a 1-2 finish were Raben Catalan, 52 kg (gold) and Philip Delarmino (silver); Ruel Catalan, 56 kg (gold) and Agustin Delarmino, Jr.
Philippine National Championship president Julian Camacho awarded the trophies to winners. Tinagan Martial Arts president and Iloilo team captain Arnold Tinagan announced that Amat will be sent to Indonesia in September this year to participate in the Junior Asian Games.
Top photo: (L-R) Debbie Joy Cabizan, Janeth Jaro, Norilyn Amat and coach Arnold Tinagan.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Alex P. Vidal.
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