It's starting to get a little bit ridiculous. Linda Pulido is simply a living, breathing world title waiting to happen.
Fighting in front of more than 500 people at Ayala Activity Center in Cebu, Philippines from July 22-25, Gilroy's most prolific martial artist captured her 11th world title overall - her second in Eskrima, also known as stick fighting - while representing her country in the 10th World Eskrima Kali-Arnis Federation Championships. The event drew competitors from 27 countries.
Pulido's celebration was rather muted, though, as she was completely spent from previous fights and supporting her teammates in events that were spread out over the course of three days and nights.
"As soon it was over, I was more happy it was done than I was that I won," Pulido said.
That's not to say she wouldn't have had some leftover energy had the outcome of her final with a challenger from Great Britain gone the other way.
"I was like, 'If they don't raise my hand, I'm going to hit somebody else," Pulido said.
Fortunately, the only people Pulido was forced to pelt were padded stick fighters from the UK and India. Pulido received a bye in the first round since it was her title to defend.
Despite moving down to the middleweight division for 18- through 39-year-olds, Pulido, at the age of 40, was clearly the most fit and fierce of the ladies assembled.
"India wasn't too difficult," Pulido said. "I think I just dominated her. She wasn't as aggressive as I thought she would be so I just ate her up."
Great Britain's representative was a tougher task, but not by much. "When I got in there, I just kind of used ... my speed and my power with her," Pulido said. "I kind of used my Tae Kwon Do (style) with her."
By using quick movements to attack and retreat before blows could be returned, Pulido used the skills she has gained from other disciplines rather than standing still for a slugfest, which is common in stick fighting.
"The girl was really nice," Pulido said. "She was like, 'That's probably one of the best competitions I've ever had.' So, that was a really nice compliment."
Almost as nice a compliment as another trophy for the wall.
Josh Koehn Josh Koehn is a sports writer for South Valley Newspapers. He can be reached at jkoehn@svnewspapers.com.
Although the Hollister Free Lance does not have any obligation to monitor this board, the Hollister Free Lance reserves the right at all times to check this board and to remove any information or materials that are unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, indecent or otherwise objectionable to the Hollister Free Lance in our sole discretion and to disclose any information necessary to satisfy the law, regulation, or government request. The Hollister Free Lance also reserves the right to permanently block any user who violates these terms and conditions. All threats to systems or site infrastructure shall be assumed genuine in nature and will be reported to the appropriate law enforcement authorities. Submission of any comments will be considered permission to use online or in print.
Former Rams bask in the glory days at reunion
