Team Lakay Grappling Cup headlines Benguet Martial Arts Festival
BAGUIO CITY — Benguet is poised to host the second edition of the Benguet Martial Arts Festival this month, aiming to unearth and refine martial arts talents within the province.
The festival, slated to take place across three different dates, will prominently feature Grappling, Taekwondo, and Arnis, with an impressive turnout of approximately 300 participants expected to showcase their skills.
Dean Mark Monang, Benguet’s sports coordinator, expressed that the festival represents a grassroots sports program in the province, providing a valuable platform for local athletes to exhibit their abilities.
“It is one way on how we can hone the talents of our athletes since BenBAGUIguet and the Cordillera is known for its martial artists, and this is also one way of helping them improve and develop their skills,” Monang said.
He highlighted the rich martial arts tradition in Benguet and the Cordillera region, emphasizing the festival’s role in nurturing and enhancing the skills of these athletes.
The festival’s main attraction is Team Lakay’s grappling competition scheduled for September 24, which focuses on clinching and ground fighting techniques.
Coach Mark Sangiao noted that this grappling competition has a storied history, with 39 editions since its inception in 2008.
It has played a pivotal role in producing numerous world champions in various international mixed martial arts organizations, including five in ONE Championship, one in Brave Combat Federation, and another in Pacific X-Treme Combat.
The grappling competition aims to cultivate the submission skills of MMA fighters by incorporating techniques from folk wrestling, judo, Greco-Roman wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, traditional jujutsu, and sambo.
These submission skills are essential in MMA and serve as a critical component of the sport.
Furthermore, the festival seeks to develop the capabilities of local MMA enthusiasts, preparing them for higher levels of combative sports.
Those interested in participating in the Grappling competition can contact Coach Mark Sangiao at (0966) 174-0017.
Prior to the Grappling event, the festival kicks off with Arnis on September 23, and interested participants can reach Coach Maryann Mapangdol at (0963) 792-0254.
Taekwondo enthusiasts looking to participate in the competition slated for September 30 can contact Coach Danrey Velo at (0998)-953-7537.
The Benguet Martial Arts Festival stands as a testament to the province’s commitment to nurturing local talent and further solidifying its reputation as a hub for martial arts excellence.
Share