Sticking with it Father-son stick fighters compete in Philippines
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It was another father-son trip to remember for Steve and Cole Van Harn of Hamilton.
The two recently competed in their second World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation Martial Arts competition together and both captured gold medals. The 10th annual event was held in Cebu City, The Philippines.
“My son was first in double sticks fighting and second in singles stick fighting,” said Steve, the father of 14-year-old Cole, a sophomore at Hamilton High School.
WEKAF is currently the largest organization representing the Filipino Martial Arts with members in more than 30 countries, according to the organizations’ Web site. It is open to all Filipino Martial Arts Styles.
Its objectives are to promote peace and enhance international understanding and good will through the development of martial arts, to play an active role in the worldwide promotion of health and physical fitness of individuals, Steve said.
The Van Harns were disappointed that Cole did not win a world title in the singles stick competition.
“He should have won it, but he had to go up against a person who will be 18 in six months,” Steve pointed out. “That should never have happened.”
The wide age difference bothered Cole more than the height advantage his competitor had. “The guy I faced was not only much older than me, but 6-foot-2,” said the 5-foot-11 Cole. “I really wanted to win. I was bummed that I didn’t.”
Cole enjoys everything about martial arts.
“Maybe I’m not suppose to say this, but I like hitting people,” Cole said. “Legally though.” Cole plans to play football for Hamilton this fall.
Before that, he competed in his second international WEKAF competition.
“He went to Florida with me in 2006,” Steve said of the tournament held at Disney World. “We had a good achat cialis time.”
This was the fourth world championship for Steve, who won world titles in forms in London in 2002 and a world crown at Disney World in 2006.
“I love martial arts,” said Steve, a 1983 Zeeland graduate. “I started Martial Arts when I was at Hope College. I really can’t recall why I got into it. … It was just something I always wanted to do.” The Van Harns do most of their training at home.
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“I coach my son about four days a week and he works out once a week at the new Hamilton Karate Center which opened in October of last year,” said Steve, whose coach is Mushtaq Ali of Grand Rapids.
Steve Van Harn has plenty of respect for Ali.
“Even though he’s probably in his late 60’s, I don’t mess with him especially when he gets that look in his face,” Steve Van Harn said.
That’s the same feeling Cole has for his father.
“Depending on how he’s feeling, my dad isn’t that hard on me when we work out,” Cole said. “It’s easy to tell when he’s serious though.”
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