History of Escrima?

Escrima get its name from the Spanish word, “skirmish” which describes the martial art practised by the Fillipinos at the time of the Spanish conquest which was taught as military training for the children of the warrior class. It was only by the use of firearms that the Spanish were able exert control and the practise of Escrima was outlawed and driven underground.

After the Americans took over in 1898 the probation was repealed and during the second world war when the Japanese took over the Phillipines many Phillipinos fought alongside the American’s in guerrilla units with the machete being used in many close quarter battles. After the war many phillipinos emigrated to the USA and Escrima entered the martial arts scene.

Escrima is headed in the EWTO by Master Bill Newman who has been teaching Escrima since the 1970s and who was one of the original teachers of Escrima in Europe. His representative in Ireland is Sifu Stefan Weber who gives seminars in Ireland and who is responsible for the training of Irish instructors.

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What is Escrima

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