By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Ilonggo Nathaniel Balajadia showed that he can be a dominant force even in the arnis event of the 2023 Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Games Visayas Leg held in Iloilo City recently.

The West Visayas State University (WVSU)–Main standout captured his gold medal by defeating Lenar John Avance and Renato Aguado, Jr. in the men’s non-traditional single weapon event Air Force bracket.

Balajadia was glad with the formation of the ROTC Games as it served as his avenue to showcase his arnis talents after dominating the Batang Pinoy and Palarong Pambansa during his high school years.

“Wala na po kasing masyadong arnis national tournament pagdating sa college except po kapag Philippine National Games. Ito lang po pagkakataon ko na makasali uli,” Balajadia said.

The 20-year-old Balajadia, who started learning the sport when he was seven years old, said that his next target is to qualify for the arnis event in the Southeast Asian Games in two years.

Meanwhile, Marcel John Judicpa of University of Iloilo-Phinma clinched the gold medal in the Army Bracket after beating Capiz State University’s John Mike Frial and Cebu Technological University’s Meg Ryan Gutierrez.

On the other hand, RJ Christales Mahinay of University of Visayas won the gold medal in the Navy division of the same event as he defeated Christon Inting of Bohol Islands State University–Main.

Roperly Mae Bangero of Iloilo State University of Fisheries and Science and Technology took the gold in the Army category of Women’s Non-Traditional Single Weapon, beating Lexa Villasan of Northern Negros State College of Science and Technology.

Jazell Joan Agacia of WVSU–Janiuay also bagged a gold medal in the Philippine Air Force category of the same arnis event. Mae Ann Cerna of 527th DAST ended with silver.

Kyla Omega dela Torre of Capiz State University also won a gold medal in the same arnis event in the Philippine Navy category, with Aya Faith Gonzaga of University of Antique as runner-up./ASC, WDJ