Well it not to often that a small tournament of only 290 competitors could bring out some of the top competitors in the world but it did. Houston Texas was host to a Martial Arts Event that boasted the attendance of over 18 world champions and a large number of national champions.This event was TNT and Sports Karate International Rated. It was a truley national event with competitors comming from All over Texas, Lousiana, Oklahoma, New York, Mexico, Arizona, and Virginia. Some of the Famous in attendance were Linda Denly World Champion and Black Belt Hall of Famer, Chris Minshew, Wayne Nuygen World Champion and White Ninja from the movie Sidekicks, David Johnson, George Minchew, World Champion Donna Lopez, Master Rubin Valero, Soo Bahk Do Master and National Champion Bill Milberger, Al Susman of Action Martial Arts Magazine,National Champion fighter Louis Garcia, Anthony Mosley, self defense National Champion Willie Galvan, and many more state and national champions.
With 110 divisions and a ornery computer system, things got off to a slow start and there were some impatient competitors but as soon as things started moving the excitment became apearent by many of the competitors and spectators. Over 70 of the TNT State Champions And Competitors showed why Texas has such great representation wherever they go, by demonstrating the kind of skill only seen in world competition. Carlos Olivares and a bunch of Isshinryu stylist show up and demonstrated that this was not the old days, were Isshinryu were only known as fighters, these guys were great in forms winning in many black and underbelt divisions. Next year should see more of these Isshinryu winning in Texas. National Champion Johnnie Murphy and Host of this evnt was greatful that so many local competitors showed up and helped make this event as impressive as it was.
The forms Competition Got under way and showed that you don’t have to drive or fly far away to get the best competition or your money’s worth. It was this writers openion that Carlos Olivares won Mens Traditional form but the judges saw it another way “sorry Carlos” Bill Milberger showed his stuff dominating in Black Belt Traditional Weapons. And by the way Bill is a most amazing martial artist showing up and winning with an injured knee, Truley Soo Bahk to Bill and all his great students that showed. David Custillo showed up from Lake Charles Lousiania and made breaking division rock. Dr Michael Barnes came with his scalpels and did some surgery on the old guys divisions and looking more professional than any emergency room trama team. World Champion David Johnson Dominated in most of the divisions that he was in and the adult forms grand came down to David Johnson, Bill Milberger, and Willie Galvan with willie narrowly beating them both and taking home the cash for the grand.
Louis Garcia, Anthony Mosley and Brandon Mcrae Duked it out for the mens Sparring Grand and Louis Garcia frieght trained his way to the Grand and the Money. Ryan Wong won Junior Black Belt grand and the coveted trophy.
Some of the best fights came from the junior girls division with Amanda Blume winning a large 12-14 year old girls novice division, all the kids fought like black belts. The 8 & 9 intermediate sparring division was the largest of the tournament and they should be mentioned because they were all fighting at their best, I think that they were all trying to impress Al Susman of Action Martial Arts Magazine and It seemed to me that whenever he looked over at them the action got fierce then as he looked away it died down, what an unusual phenomenon.By the way C J Solz of Richmond Texas won.
All in all this event gets a hat off for being the best little event of Houston and allowing some great Underbelt Junior competitors to rub elbows with and compete with State and National Champions. Many of the competitors and the 570 spectators had never competed in or been to an event where the guy with the most stripes on his belt did not win everything,or for that matter competed outside of their style affiliation tournament before. SKI rules were used and enforced this made sure that uniformity existed and fairness was observed. also thanks to the many paid TNT Star Certified Judges and staff that helped make this event possible.
