Igorot arnisador delivers gold medal-winning SEA Games performance in traditional attire

Benguet, Philippines – An Igorot arnisador featured anew the traditional loincloth in the international stage.

In the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, Crisamuel Delfin almost gave up his chance of winning the gold medal in the individual Anyo non-traditional open weapon category for Arnis when he was asked to wear underpants beneath his loincloth.

It is an insult to the cultural traditions if one wears undergarments under a loincloth, earlier said the Philippine Arnis Federation President - Senator Miguel Zubiri.

After an argument with the judges, Delfin and his coach were both prepared to be disqualified but the arnisador eventually agreed to wear underpants. He won the gold medal for his outstanding performance.

On Monday, May 15, the Igorot warrior took his opportunity to showcase anew the traditional attire in the same division of the 32nd SEA Games held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Once again, his somersaults, flips, war cries, and other movements showed the emotions and spirit of a martial artist. He wore “wanes”, the Igorot G-string, and the feathered headdress as a symbol of ferocity, while his painted tattoos were a warrior’s achievements.

Delfin scored 29.500, beating Cambodia's Run Salith (29.200) and Myanmar's Htet Wai Hlaing (29.200).

The now 28-year-old arnisador who hails from La Trinidad, expressed his utmost gratitude to all who were part of his SEA Games journey, including his family, and coaches of the Philippine National Arnis Team (PNAT), among others.

“Kahit Madami Pa Injury sakit sa katawan! LABAN PARIN… PUGAY PO,” he said in a statement.

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