TABUK CITY, Kalinga – At least 96 amateur and professional arm wrestlers coming from this city and other areas like Baguio City, Manila, and the provinces of Isabela, Cagayan and Quirino participated in the first ‘Sinnanggolan sa Matagoan’ as one of the highlights of the celebration of this year’s Matagoan Festival.
The objective of the tournament is to scout arm wrestlers who can potentially represent the city in national and international arm wrestling tournaments. As an indigenous game across the Cordillera region, the sport of arm wrestling promotes good health and self-discipline, according to City Councilor Atty. Kristian Wandag who also served as the chairman of the games.
The event has three weight categories: light weight for male athletes weighing less than 65kg, middle for competitors weighing between 66 and 79kg, and heavy for those weighing more than 80kg.
The top three victors in each weight division received PhP5,000, PhP3,500, and PhP2,000.
Another is the open pro category, which does not have a weight limit. The prizes for this one are PhP10,000, PhP7,500, and PhP5,000.
The final one is the women’s category which does not require any weight capacity. The top three winners in this category will take home PhP5,000, PhP3,500, and PhP2,000 respectively.
Referees from the Philippine Armwrestling Federation and the Manila Armwrestling Federation were invited to facilitate this tournament, including Calvin Vier Santos, Vinz Roi Chiong, and Pao Salipio.
This arm wrestling tournament features a head-to-head play, with double elimination format. As a general rule, competitors must keep one foot in contact with the floor at all times, and must keep non-pulling hand in contact with the peg. They must also follow all commands of the referee during the set, and must set their competing elbow on the elbow pad, square their shoulders, and present an open hand. The angle of the competing arm must result in the fingers pointing at their opponent.
At the end of the event, Neo Arcinas, Nathaniel Sarmiento, and Jacob Dallas finished first, second, and third in the light weight category, respectively; while Leo Lejetha, Denver Ping-at, and Geisler Dulagan in the middle category; Kenneth Salvador, Jonathan Baez, and JC Jose in the heavy category; and Vinz Roi Chiong, Israel Elcid, and Calvin Santos in the open pro category.
Meanwhile, the top three women’s category winners were announced as Anneth Abbacan, Shannie Mulang, and Roxanne Tabag.
Arm wrestling is a sport in which two opponents confront each other with their bent elbows on a table and their hands tightly clasped, attempting to bring the opponent’s hand down to the tabletop. By Darwin S. Serion