THE range of martial arts available in Swan Hill is set to increase, with a practitioner of Eskrima set to bring the sport and combative art to locals in coming weeks. ANDREW ROGERS reports.
MEET Kyle Abella.
A fourth lineage master in Filipino martial art Eskrima, Abella is keen to spread the word about the sport and its links to ancient warrior traditions.
Abella can trace the combative art’s history back in his family tree as far as the 16th century. Its warrior combat systems are now being taught as a form of self-defence, physical and mental development and as a sport.
Abella has been in Swan Hill since 2009 and at 35 is looking to instruct people of all ages in the art of Eskrima.
He is also hopeful that with his tuition beginners will blossom into something more, with the potential to represent the region.
“I’m hopeful kids, teens and adults that will train will compose the Swan Hill Eskrima team that will compete in Australia and abroad,” Abella said.
And Abella, who has been practicing Esrkima since he was six, will likely quickly recongise who has the potential to be proficient in the art of Eskrima.
“The Art that I’m teaching has been in my family since 1565. I’m the fourth lineage Successor of the Eskrima de Abella Clan,” he said.
A former miner, Abella relocated to Swan Hill with his partner, bringing with him a rich pedigree in Eskrima.
He has numerous world championships in full contact sparring and traditional forms of competition in the art, as well as having 10 years experience as a national coach in the Philippines.
Now he has plans to open a gym on Nyah Road where locals will have the opportunity to become better acquainted with the Filipino martial art.
“It will be a full-time Eskrima centre from early until 9pm,” he said.
Other Programs such as Eskrima circuit will be available for those individuals looking for a new way to get fit, and advance training of the art and sport.
“In the future we will be conducting seminars for interested people to become referees, judges and instructors,” he said.
And it could be the start of something bigger branching out from Swan Hill.
“This is home now so I want to start organising things in Swan Hill and hopefully branch out further afield,” he said.
Planning to open in September, Abella has a keen sense of the combative art’s origins but also of its future.
“I’ve been testing the market since 2009 and recognized the need of Eskrima as an aid for sport development, self-defence and fitness programs. Eskrima training will start with weapons’ training as a foundation and down to empty hand combat,” he said.
“I am lucky to inherit the art preserved and handed down by my forefathers,” he said.
“Now is the right time for me to share and give back to the community in the hopes of helping our youth away from bad vices and for individuals to have something to use as self-defence against crime and assaults from criminals.”
