PENAMPANG: The traditional sport of mipulos or arm wrestling, held in conjunction with this year’s district-level Kaamatan Festival, saw an increase in women participation.
The presence of national arm wrestling champion Joyce Heng Shu Xia in the Women Open category showed that the physically demanding sport is no longer dominated by men.
The national and international-level athlete took part in the competition to enliven the heritage celebration.
Her participation not only elevated the prestige of the competition but also helped change public perception regarding women’s capabilities in arm wrestling.
Mipulos sports coordinating committee member, Nesurey Petrus Lojuyo, hoped Joyce’s achievements and active involvement would encourage more women to participate in the sport.
The traditional sports programme was held in conjunction with the District-Level Kaamatan Festival at Buhavan Square on Saturday.
Among the events contested were monungkava kalabau (buffalo catching), manadus (spear throwing), monopuk (blowpipe shooting) and mipulos (arm wrestling).