Pekiti-Tirsia Festival 2005

While the SEA Games (South East Asia Games) were celebrated in Philippines, the 6. European Pekiti-Tirsia Festival was celebrated on weekend December 3.-4. in the Martial Arts Center of the Pekiti-Tirsia Europe Headquarters in Reutlingen, Germany.

In preparation of the soon to come ten years anniversary of the Pekiti-Tirsia Europe Organisation, which has been established in 1996 by Grand Tuhon Leo T. Gaje as his direct representation in Europe, this years festival was arranged especially for the fighters as an european fighters meeting. The event was completed by a fiesta with free food and drinks and by a special training specifically for the fighters conducted by Mandala Uli Weidle

Despite the chaotic conditions on the roads caused by unexpected snow storms, fighters came from different european countries and regions from Germany. The longest travel was made by the team of the swedish fighters. Some fighters came some days early choosing to participate in the Pekiti-Tirsia training of the hosting club, Fechtgesellschaft e.V. in Reutlingen, and thus tune in with the big event to come.

The event had plenty of fights in friendly challenge mode. All fights were done as stick fights or simulated knife fights in the C- and D-levels of the European Fighter-League. The D-level fights are fought with head gear and light glove only and in the C-level additional knee protectors are allowed. Punching, kicking, clinching holds, throws and ground fighting were also game. The fights had a remarkable high standard, with serious and skilfully committed exchanges mostly without injury. Some combatants excelled in best Pekiti-Tirsia manner with the skill of marking stunning hits to the opponent without getting a single hit in return and some fighters amazed the audience by successfully applying impressive stick locks and stick chokes during stand up fights.

The leading trainer in Europe was pleased and content with what he saw. "Definitely we are on the right track", said Uli Weidle, "Every year the standard of the fights further increases. This festival had tough, technically sound fights and with all that a lot of practically applied comradeship could be experienced. Our fighters have once again proven that their continued training produced good advancements in skill level and in same measure their heart has developed as well."

Now everybody is awaiting the two big events upcoming in March and October 2006 in the Philippines and Europe, that will offer quite some surprises.

Read our Report about previous Kali Festival and see the Videos.