ILOILO CITY — Nathaniel Balajadia spearheaded the winners in the arnis competition after ruling the men's non-traditional single weapon event in the Air Force bracket of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps Games Visayas Leg on Thursday at SM City Iloilo here.

Representing West Visayas State University-Main, the 20-year-old Balajadia outshone Lenar John Avance and Renato Aguado Jr. to capture the gold medal.

Balajadia, also a two-time Palarong Pambansa medalist, hopes to continue reaping rewards since picking up the sport when he was seven years old.

"There's no national arnis tournament in college except in the Philippine National Games. This is my chance to join again," Balajadia, a second-year Physical Education student, said.

Balajadia, who led the Oath of Sportsmanship during the opening ceremony, is set to compete in the full contact combat competition also at the same venue.

Joining Balajadia on the podium were Marcel John Judicpa, who ruled the Army Bracket, and RJ Mahinay in the Navy division.

Judicpa defeated Capiz State University's John Mike Frial and Cebu Technological University's Meg Ryan Gutierrez.