GOLD WINNER. Walter Sam Jr. of Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology displays his brilliant form in the men's non-traditional single weapon Anyo (form) event of the arnis competition in the 2023 Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) Games Mindanao leg at the Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) Gym in Zamboanga City on Wednesday (Aug. 30, 2023). Sam won the gold medal. (Photo courtesy of the Philippine Sports Commission)
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Walter Sam Jr. of Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology won the men's non-traditional single weapon Anyo (form) event in the arnis competition of the 2023 Philippine Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) Games Mindanao leg at the Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) Gym here on Wednesday.
The BS Physical Education sophomore tallied 8.833 points to beat Francisco Carballo of Initao College in Misamis Oriental (8.767) and Kent Declaro Lagoy of J.H. Cerilles State College in Zamboanga del Sur (8.700) in the Philippine Army category.
Mary Fe Bagawisan of Jose Rizal Memorial State University (JRMSU) in Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte also registered 8.833 points to grab the gold medal in the women's division.
Ivy Jane Hernandez of Initao College in Misamis Oriental scored 8.733 points to claim the silver medal while Maricel Campos of JRMSU settled for third with 8.633 points.
“I really wanted to become a policeman investigator. That’s really my ambition. But if given the opportunity to be a member of the national team, I will be thankful for it,” said the 20-year-old Bagawisan, a second year BS Criminology student.
Bagawisan was a silver medalist at the 2022 WEKAF World Championship held in Mandaue City, Cebu.
Meanwhile, WMSU's Sara Graciano bagged the gold medal and teammate Chely Canibog got the silver in the women's division of the Philippine Air Force category.
Clarence Ronolo, also from WMSU, got an outright berth in the National Championships as the lone entry in the men's division.
Jade Flores of Davao del Norte College in Panabo, Davao del Norte and Elijah Yuan Sanchez of Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology pocketed the gold and silver medals, respectively in the Philippine Navy category to also advance to the national finals along with Alexandra Secang of Davao del Norte State College-Panabo, the only entry in the women's division. (PNA)
