By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Iloilo-based arm wrestling organization Ukbo Iloilo is ready for its first-ever midyear tournament on July 6, 2024, to be held at Belly Boys in Mandurriao, Iloilo City.
In collaboration with Ukbo Gears and Pull Culture, Ukbo Iloilo will release six official categories: 50kg and below, 60kg and below, 70kg and below, 80kg and below, 90kg and below, and above 90kg.
The event will officially begin at 11:30 AM. Still, before all participants can throw their names in the official list per category, all interested arm wrestlers must undergo their respective weigh-ins.
According to Ukbo Iloilo, the tournament will observe a double elimination format where winners per round will advance to their brackets while the losers will fall into the loser’s pool.
Participants from all over Western Visayas (Aklan, Bacolod, Iloilo, Dumangas) are expected to arrive early in Belly Boys for the registration period.
This event is open to all participants and weight is the only strict criteria that Ukbo Iloilo will use for their eligibility to join.
“This midyear Ukbo would be the first event nga ipa yearly namon to keep our arm wrestling athletes active and progressive,” said Ukbo Iloilo in an exclusive interview with the Daily Guardian.
Founded in 2019 by Dr. Erlando Fredrik Octaviano, the community started to grow each year and in 2020, the official Ukbo Iloilo team was officially formed.
Assisting Dr. Octaviano and the rest of Ukbo Iloilo in putting up the event are Mr. John Paul Santamarina and Mr. Frethuric Valdez.
“Arm wrestling is a niche sport, bordering more on strength than combat, but nonetheless a true one-on-one game. It has been past our culture as it has been for millennials. We invite everyone to take part in this growing sport as it hones perseverance and resilience in its very essence,” said Dr. Octaviano.
