Lone Aklan eskrimador hopes to make mark for WV

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — He is the lone eskrimador from Aklan province, one of the delegates of perennial contender Western Visayas’ arnis contingent.

Western Visayas’ vaunted eskrimadors come mostly from Iloilo City, with Aklan native and Palaro first-timer Joseph Matthew Sucro being the only exception. 

But his region sees him as a legitimate competitor for the coveted gold in the Palarong Pambansa 2013.

His coaches might be just right in their prediction, after all.

“All of the arnis participants in our region come from Iloilo and I’m the only exception since I’m from Aklan but it’s okay with me, they’re all friendly,” said Sucro. “I qualified here in the Palaro because I won in the Regional meet. Iloilo is really a tough province to beat, they are really strong.”

Sucro, who dreams of becoming a seaman someday, wasn’t interested in arnis when he was younger, as it was volleyball which caught his fancy.

“I was actually a volleyball player when I was in elementary but I got jealous when I saw my older brother playing arnis,” quipped the St. Gabriel College student, whose older brother also competed in the Palaro.

Sucro’s parents also support his love for arnis.

“My parents are very supportive, they provide my financial needs in playing arnis,” added the 15-year-old, who draws shrieks from the crowd when he plays.

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A shot at gold

Sucro vies for the gold in the 51-55 kilograms category in the arnis event, first played in the Palaro in 2010.

With the hopes of becoming a winner as a first-time participant, he remains grounded despite receiving praises from his coaches and trainers.

“My coaches told me to be more aggressive, but they are really hoping that I can win and said that I have a chance,” he said.

He and the rest of the country will find out if he does have what it takes to bring home the gold in the coming days. For now, Sucro buckled down to work, wore his arnis gear and went back to his training.

Having a chance isn’t enough. There’s work to be done and work begins now. – Rappler.com