WEKAF or to give the organization its correct name the World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation exists to promote the Filipino martial art of stick fighting and is the parent body behind the tournaments conducted in many countries.
Its predecessor was the National Arnis Association of the Philippines who first began the conducting of stick fighting tournaments.
In August of 1987 Grand Master Dionisio Canete invited top masters and instructors from several countries to visit the Philippines and train. This opening of Arnis to the outside world was the catalyst which was to lead to the formation of WEKAF in 1989 and the first World Tournament with over 100 people representing ten countries taking part.
New Zealand was represented by Greg Henderson (who later founded Diamondback Eskrima) and became one of the original charter members of WEKAF along with Australia, USA. England, India, Canada, Portugal, Switzerland, Germany and the Philippines.
Today WEKAF now includes over thirty countries and has a very large following. World tournaments are conducted every two years alternating between the Philippines and an overseas member country.
Last year (2006) the WEKAF world tournament was held in Orlando Florida, USA. Unfortunately due to the lack of finances and sponsorship and the untimely passing of the Late Gordon Carnie (NZ Doce pares multi-style director and WEKAF NZ director),There was no team representing NZ.
The previous year (2004) it was held in Cebu, Philippines, This is where a team of three from NZ took part consisting of The Late Gordon Carnie, Grant Boath and Ross Holmes. It was Ross and my first experience fighting at international level. It certainly was an eye opener for how we are to prepare for the 2008 WEKAF tournament in Cebu, Philippines. We didn’t win any medals, but I took away 4TH place in the heavy weight division and the experience and the knowledge to do better next time.
Gordon was a veteran of two previous world tournaments and many invitationals’ and he came away with a silver medal in the double stick sparring category. Gordon’s write up on the 2004 Cebu WEKAF tournament can be found in Vol 11 issue 5 Oct/Nov 2004
In the year between the World tournament, European championships are held along with invitational tournaments such as the Hawaii open.
Eskrima Kali Arnis has grown in profile and is now practiced around the world thanks to WEKAF and the vision of its founders.
Membership is open to all styles and gives the opportunity to compete with the Worlds best in this fast and exciting martial art.
As Filipino martial arts in general are a very small minority in the martial arts community. Little is know about the FMA or the sport fighting side of the art. Hopefully I will be able to enlighten people with this article.
Usually each Country has there own elimination tournaments to choose there team to represent there country. Here in NZ, it will be slightly different as stickfighting WEKAF style is still in the infancy stages. There is planed for some seminars and a unofficial WEKAF tournament before the 2008 worlds, to get interested parties wishing to participate at the worlds. Membership is open to anyone/style that wishes to fight in this format but you have to become a member to fight at sanctioned WEKAF tournaments.
Because this format is still in the infancy stages, a lot of the finances to go towards equipment – traveling – world tournaments all come out of the players personal pockets. We are always looking for any help in the way of sponsorship, and any sponsors or sponsorship is very much appreciated.
Equipment for this type of contact sport require each player to have a helmet, body armor – gloves – groin guard.
Optional equipment could include elbow – forearm guards – thigh guards (highly recommended) and a mouth guard.
Fights last for 3 x 1 minute rounds, with a 30 second rest in between rounds. If the fights are close, there is an extra round at the end of the original 3 rounds, and so on until there is a clear winner. This is where I learnt the hard lesson, Fitness and full health (watch the food and water in the Philippines) is the key. Along with the techniques and strategies of the game, if you haven’t got the fitness to do that extra round or that extra fight when called on. You will struggle to win.
You have one center referee and four corner judges outside the square. The square is 5-7 meters square in the middle of a hall floor
You must be able to demonstrate strong offensive and defensive techniques at all times. There is no room for stick bashers, as the armor is there to protect you but not to be used to sacrifice a shot for a shot.
Legal Targets: Top, Front & Sides of Helmet, Front & Sides of the Thighs & Body, both Arms & Hands are legitimate targets Back of Body & Back of Helmet may be hit if facing the opponent (Witik – Circular – Indirect strikes).Thrusting and butt strikes are not allowed, due to safety reasons the thrusting and butt strikes were eliminated from the original rules.
If there is anyone out there wanting to participate or just want to know more about becoming involved with the Wekaf format of fighting, please feel free to call or email me at the contact below.
Grant Boath
NZ Director Doce Pares NZ & WEKAF NZ
(03) 2179784
[email protected]
