Three Arnis athletes from Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat — Clark Ian Durano, Mark Jims Desales, and Brent Pauya — won a combined five medals at the 2026 Philippine Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (PEKAF) National Battle of Champions (NBOC). The competition was held from August 7 to 9, 2026, at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Malate, Manila. The athletes brought home two gold, one silver, and two bronze medals, earning recognition from the Provincial Government of Sultan Kudarat.
Key Takeaways
- Three Tacurong City athletes won a combined five medals at the 2026 PEKAF National Battle of Champions
- Clark Ian Durano won Gold in Livestick and Bronze in Padded categories
- Mark Jims Desales won Gold in Padded category
- Brent Pauya won Silver in Livestick and Bronze in Padded categories
- The event took place from August 7–9, 2026 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila
- The Provincial Government of Sultan Kudarat congratulated the athletes and praised their achievements
Table of Contents
- Tacurong Arnis Athletes Win Five Medals at PEKAF Nationals
- Medal Summary
- Durano Leads Team with Two Medals
- Desales Adds Gold to Tacurong’s Medal Haul
- Pauya Delivers Silver and Bronze Performances
- The PEKAF National Battle of Champions
- Sultan Kudarat: Where Champions Rise
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Disclaimer
Tacurong Arnis Athletes Win Five Medals at PEKAF Nationals
Three Arnis athletes from Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat, brought pride to the province after winning a combined five medals at the 2026 Philippine Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (PEKAF) National Battle of Champions (NBOC). The competition was held from August 7 to 9, 2026, at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Malate, Manila.
The Tacurong Arnis athletes — Clark Ian Durano, Mark Jims Desales, and Brent Pauya — delivered an impressive performance across multiple categories, earning two gold, one silver, and two bronze medals. Their achievement was celebrated by the Provincial Government of Sultan Kudarat, which extended its warmest congratulations to the athletes.
Medal Summary
| Athlete | Livestick Category | Padded Category | Total Medals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clark Ian Durano | Gold | Bronze | 2 |
| Mark Jims Desales | — | Gold | 1 |
| Brent Pauya | Silver | Bronze | 2 |
| Total Tally | 1 Gold, 1 Silver | 1 Gold, 2 Bronze | 5 Medals |
Durano Leads Team with Two Medals
Clark Ian Durano won gold in the Livestick Category and bronze in the Padded Category at the 2026 PEKAF National Battle of Champions in Manila. Photo courtesy of the Facebook page of Gov. Datu Pax Ali S. Mangudadatu.
Clark Ian Durano led the Tacurong delegation with a standout performance, securing two medals at the national competition. He won Gold in the Livestick Category and Bronze in the Padded Category.
Durano’s two podium finishes contributed a gold and bronze medal to Tacurong City’s five-medal haul at the national competition. His victories highlight his versatility across different Arnis disciplines.
Desales Adds Gold to Tacurong’s Medal Haul
Mark Jims Desales won gold in the Padded Category at the 2026 PEKAF National Battle of Champions held at Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila. Photo courtesy of the Facebook page of Gov. Datu Pax Ali S. Mangudadatu.
Mark Jims Desales contributed another gold medal to Tacurong City’s medal tally, winning the Gold in the Padded Category.
Desales’ victory adds to the growing reputation of Tacurong City as a source of talented Arnis athletes. His gold medal performance at the national level brings recognition to both his hometown and the province of Sultan Kudarat.
Pauya Delivers Silver and Bronze Performances
Brent Pauya won silver in the Livestick Category and bronze in the Padded Category at the 2026 PEKAF National Battle of Champions in Manila. Photo courtesy of the Facebook page of Gov. Datu Pax Ali S. Mangudadatu.
Brent Pauya completed the Tacurong delegation’s impressive medal haul with two podium finishes. He won Silver in the Livestick Category and Bronze in the Padded Category.
Pauya’s silver and bronze finishes completed the three athletes’ combined five-medal haul at the competition. His performance across both disciplines contributes to the province’s growing presence in national-level Arnis competitions.
The PEKAF National Battle of Champions
The Philippine Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (PEKAF) National Battle of Champions is a national-level Arnis competition featuring athletes competing in different events and categories. The 2026 edition was held from August 7 to 9 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Malate, Manila.
Arnis is the national martial art and sport of the Philippines, with a rich history and cultural significance. The sport emphasizes the use of sticks, blades, and empty-hand techniques, reflecting the fighting traditions of the Filipino people. The PEKAF organizes competitions and promotes Arnis at the grassroots and elite levels.
Sultan Kudarat: Where Champions Rise
The Provincial Government of Sultan Kudarat congratulated the three athletes for their outstanding performance at the national competition. In its message, the provincial government expressed hope that the athletes’ victories would inspire more young Sultan Kudarateños to pursue excellence in sports and proudly represent the province in future competitions.
The Facebook announcement concluded with the message: “Sultan Kudarat: Where Champions Rise!” — a fitting tribute to the athletes who have brought honor to their province.
Conclusion
The five medals won by Clark Ian Durano, Mark Jims Desales, and Brent Pauya at the 2026 PEKAF National Battle of Champions represent a significant achievement for Tacurong City and Sultan Kudarat. Their performances in the Livestick and Padded categories demonstrate the talent and dedication of the province’s Arnis athletes.
The achievements of Durano, Desales, and Pauya add to Sultan Kudarat’s representation in national-level sports competition and provide another milestone for Tacurong City’s Arnis athletes. The Provincial Government expressed hope that their victories would inspire more young Sultan Kudarateños to pursue excellence in sports and proudly represent the province in future competitions.
For more updates on sports and development in Sultan Kudarat, follow official announcements from the Provincial Government of Sultan Kudarat and SultanKudarat.com .
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What competition did the Tacurong Arnis athletes compete in?
The three athletes competed in the 2026 Philippine Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (PEKAF) National Battle of Champions (NBOC) , held from August 7 to 9, 2026, at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Malate, Manila.
2. How many medals did the Tacurong athletes win?
The three athletes won a combined five medals: two gold, one silver, and two bronze.
3. Who are the three athletes?
The three athletes are Clark Ian Durano, Mark Jims Desales, and Brent Pauya.
4. What medals did Clark Ian Durano win?
Clark Ian Durano won Gold in the Livestick Category and Bronze in the Padded Category.
5. What medal did Mark Jims Desales win?
Mark Jims Desales won Gold in the Padded Category.
6. What medals did Brent Pauya win?
Brent Pauya won Silver in the Livestick Category and Bronze in the Padded Category.
7. Where was the competition held?
The competition was held at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum, Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, in Malate, Manila.
8. Who congratulated the athletes?
The Provincial Government of Sultan Kudarat congratulated the athletes and praised their achievements.
9. What is PEKAF?
PEKAF stands for the Philippine Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation , the national governing body for Arnis in the Philippines.
10. Where can I find updates on sports in Sultan Kudarat?
Follow official announcements from the Provincial Government of Sultan Kudarat and SultanKudarat.com .
Disclaimer
This article is primarily based on the public announcement from the Facebook page of Gov. Datu Pax Ali S. Mangudadatu regarding the Tacurong Arnis athletes’ performance at the 2026 PEKAF National Battle of Champions. Specific details regarding the athletes’ ages, schools, coaches, weight divisions, competition brackets, number of competitors, qualification process, and other technical specifications were not disclosed in the Facebook announcement and may be subject to change. SultanKudarat.com strives to provide accurate and timely information but does not guarantee the completeness or absolute accuracy of the details contained herein. Readers are encouraged to verify official announcements from the Provincial Government of Sultan Kudarat and other authorized government agencies for the most current updates.
