MANILA – Zach Bryant Barquera, a 2nd-year BS-Agribusiness student, representing Ormoc City and Arnis de Caballes, clinches a gold finish in the Philippine Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (PEKAF) Battle of Champions 2023, held at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila on February 26, 2023.
Barquera dominated the Live Stick-Super Heavyweight Men’s Category +100 kg.
The PEKAF Battle of Champions 2023 included over 200 arnis athletes from Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, and NCR Qualifiers.
According to PEKAF, the winners of this competition are expected to be drafted as part of the Philippine National Arnis Team who will compete in the upcoming SEA games this May 2023.
Prior to this event, Barquera bagged the gold medal for the Live Stick competition and the bronze medal for the Padded Stick competition during the PEKAF Visayas Qualifying Tournament, held at Minglanilla Sports Complex, Cebu; last January 6-8, 2023.