World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation

World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation
AbbreviationWEKAF
Formation1989
TypeSports federation
HeadquartersCebu City, Philippines
President
United States Steve Wolk
Websitewekafinternational.com

The World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (WEKAF) is the international sports body for the sport of Arnis, a Filipino martial art.

History

WEKAF was formed on August 11, 1989, after a convention was held at the Sacred Heart Center in Cebu City.[1] Dionisio Cañete was elected as their charter president.[2] Cañete would formalize rules and regulations to professionalized the sport of Arnis.[3]

The first WEKAF World Championship in Cebu City also commenced on that date and lasted until August 13, 1989.[4]

With ten member national federations upon its inception, WEKAF grew to around 40 members by 2016.[5]

Member federations

The following nations and territories have membership with the WEKAF.[6]

  •  Austria
  •  American Samoa
  •  Australia
  •  Belgium
  •  Brazil
  •  China
  •  Colombia
  •  Denmark
  •  Belgium
  •  Canada
  •  Chile
  •  Fiji
  •  France
  •  Germany
  •  Hawaii[a]
  •  Hong Kong
  •  Hungary
  •  India
  •  Indonesia
  •  Iran
  •  Ireland
  •  Italy
  •  Japan
  •  Liechtenstein
  •  Luxembourg
  •  Mexico
  •  Netherlands
  •  New Zealand
  •  Norway
  • Philippines Philippines
  •  Puerto Rico
  •  Poland
  •  Portugal
  •  Qatar
  •  Réunion
  •  Romania
  •  Saudi Arabia
  •  Slovakia
  •  South Korea
  •   Switzerland
  •  Spain
  •  Tonga
  •  Turkey
  •  United Arab Emirates
  •  United Kingdom
  •  United States
  •  Vietnam

WEKAF World Championships

WEKAF World Championships
Competition details
DisciplineArnis
TypeBiennial
OrganiserWorld Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (WEKAF)
History
First edition1989 in Cebu City, Philippines
Editions17 (2024)
Final edition2022 in Mandaue, Philippines

The World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation holds the World Championships every two years with hosting typically alternating between the Philippines and another country.[7]

Edition Year Host member Location Dates Ref.
1 1989  Philippines Cebu City August 11–13
2 1992  Philippines Manila January 25–27 [8]
3 1994  Philippines Manila [9]
4 1996  United States Los Angeles [10][11]
5 1998  Philippines Cebu City [10]
6 2000  Philippines Cebu City [12][13]
7 2002  United Kingdom London July 4–6 [14]
8 2004  Philippines Cebu City [15]
9 2006  United States Orlando July 2–9 [16]
10 2008  Philippines Cebu City July 22–25 [17][18][19]
11 2010  Mexico Puerto Vallarta July 19–24 [20][21]
12 2012  Philippines Cebu City July 18–24 [22]
13 2014  Hungary Debrecen July 23–27 [23]
14 2016  Philippines Mandaue July [24]
15 2018  Hawaii[a] Lahaina July 18–23 [25][26][27]
— 2020  Philippines Lapu-Lapu City July (Cancelled[b]) [29]
16 2022  Philippines Mandaue July 17–21 [28][30]
17 2025  Philippines

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b Constituent state of the United States, Hawaii has separate membership in the WEKAF
  2. ^ Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic[28]

References

  1. ^ "History". World, Eskrima, Kali, Arnis Federation. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  2. ^ "Cañete, Supreme Grand Master of arnis, passes away". Tempo. August 23, 2021. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  3. ^ Alison, Mars (July 23, 2019). "Cebu's Cañetes spread arnis/eskrima as sport in Europe". Cebu Daily News. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  4. ^ "Cebu to host WEKAF joust anew". The Philippine Star. June 23, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  5. ^ Villaruel, Emmanuel B. "PSC to work closely with WEKAF". The Freeman. The Philippine Star. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  6. ^ "Countries". World, Eskrima, Kali, Arnis Federation. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  7. ^ "About". WEKAF Australia. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  8. ^ "Grandmaster Dionisio A. Canete" (PDF). Filipino Martial Arts Digest (Special): 13. 2007.
  9. ^ "Master Erwin Mosqueda" (PDF). Filipino Martial Arts Digest (Special): 17. 2007.
  10. ^ a b Dowd, Steven. "Grandmaster Cacoy Cañete Training Program" (PDF). Filipino Martial Arts Digest (Special). Fallon, Nevada: 19–20. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  11. ^ Malagar, Gabby G. (October 4, 2015). "Mac sa Cacoy Doce Pares 3 golds 1 silver sa Bali". Banat (in Cebuano). The Philippine Star. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  12. ^ Villaruel, Emmanuel B. (July 21, 2016). "Let the battle begin". The Philippine Star. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  13. ^ Sell, Anthony (2006). "The History of WEKAF" (PDF). Filipino Martial Arts Digest (Special): 6.
  14. ^ Adamarczyk, Peg (July 26, 2002). "Martial arts group goes for the gold". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  15. ^ "Us overall champ sa WEKAF Championship". The Philippine Star (in Filipino). June 28, 2004. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  16. ^ "Cebuano-led RP Team aims for gold rush in 9th WEKAF tourney". The Philippine Star. July 26, 2006. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  17. ^ "Hinampakay na sa Wekaf '12". SunStar (in Cebuano). July 18, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  18. ^ "Embarassed at home". SunStar Cebu. July 27, 2008. Archived from the original on July 30, 2008. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  19. ^ "Upcoming Tournaments & Seminars". WEKAF USA – Filipino Martial Arts Federation. Archived from the original on July 23, 2008. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  20. ^ "Cebuano eskrimador joins Mexico tourney". The Philippine Star. July 19, 2010. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  21. ^ "Filipino eskrimadors seek redemption in WEKAF tilt". The Philippine Star. July 11, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  22. ^ "Cebu hosts World Eskrima championship". The Philippine Star. July 12, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  23. ^ "SGM Diony Cañete hails Hungary's WEKAF hosting". The Freeman. The Philippine Star. August 20, 2014. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  24. ^ Villaruel, Emmanuel B. (July 12, 2016). "Philippines out to regain lost glory". The Freeman. The Philippine Star. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  25. ^ "Aloha, Wekaf". SunStar. July 21, 2016. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  26. ^ Thayer, Mathher (July 20, 2018). "Wekaf Championships Get Underway In Lahaina". The Maui News. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  27. ^ Lariosa, Glorietta (August 3, 2018). "Cebuanos sizzle in WEKAF Championship". The Freeman. The Philippine Star. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  28. ^ a b Villaruel, Emmanuel B. (July 12, 2022). "All set for 16th WEKAF Championships". The Philippine Star. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  29. ^ "Arnis federation eyes World Championship hosting after SEA Games success". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. December 22, 2019. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  30. ^ "Team Philippines dominates WEKAF C'ships, makes record 418-medal haul". Cebu Daily News. Philippine Daily Inquirer. July 24, 2022. Retrieved May 11, 2023.