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 U.K. 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."
Josh Koehn Josh Koehn is the sports editor of the Gilroy Dispatch.
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