Clockwise from top: (1) Consul Rona Beth Goce (2nd from left) with Arnis Grandmasters (L-R) Dieter Knüttel, Rodel Dagooc and Samuel Dulay (2) Arnis instructors came from the United States, the Philippines and Germany in the “East Meets West” Camp organized by the German Arnis Association as shown by the flags and logos at the event (3) Nearly 200 participants came from all over Germany to improve their skills in Filipino Martial Arts
Dortmund. In this year’s biggest gathering of Arnis practitioners in Europe, almost 200 students of Modern Arnis trained in Dortmund from 23 – 25 September under Modern Arnis Grandmasters from the Philippines, Germany and the United States. The aptly named “East Meets West” Modern Arnis Training Camp was organized by the German Arnis Association (Deutscher Arnis Verband). The DAV is the largest Arnis association in Germany with a 2,500-strong membership.
From L-R: (1) Modern Arnis Grandmasters Tim Hartman (USA), Rodel Dagooc (Philippines), Dieter Knüttel (Germany), Samuel Dulay (Philippines) and Brian Zawilinski (USA). (2) Grandmaster Dagooc with Consul Goce during the Blackbelt Presentation Ceremony.
Consul Rona Beth Goce of the Philippine Embassy in Berlin was at hand during the black belt presentation ceremony on 24 September. The highest black belt (10th Degree) was awarded to German Arnis Grandmaster Dieter Knüttel reflecting 30 years of dedication to mastering Modern Arnis. The DAV thanked Consul Goce for taking part in the ceremony, presenting the black belts and showing the Embassy’s support for Modern Arnis in Germany.
Arnis practitioners from Germany, Denmark, France, Israel and other countries practicing Arnis self-defense techniques. In one session, they could be heard counting “isa, dalawa, tatlo…” as they deftly wield their rattan sticks under the guidance of Arnis grandmasters.
Modern Arnis is a martial arts and self-defense system founded by Remy Presas. His stated goal was to “create an injury-free training method as well as an effective self-defense system in order to preserve the older Arnis systems.”
Arnis, the National Martial Art and Sport of the Philippines, incorporates empty-handed fighting techniques , short sticks, as well as knives. Arnis skills can be used with many other tactical weapons and everyday objects.
There are currently only six Grandmasters who have the 10th Degree Black Belt in Modern Arnis, five of them are from the Philippines, the sixth is DAV Chief Instructor Dieter Knüttel. Three out the six Grandmasters were in Germany for the training camp. END
