The MGM Grand Hotel was graced by the presence of the best martial artist in the country for what was two nights of exceptional competition and fun. The hotel was the biggest playground for the adult and child alike with everything from playboy bunnies to power shops that would tailor to your every need. I thought everything was bigger in Texas but I would have to say nothing in Texas would compare to the volume of square footage as well as money I saw flow through this place.
The competition started on time friday night with our gracious host Barbie Witz welcoming us all to her event. As the two days of competition progressed she showed that she was truly skilled at handling the large crowd of 1200 competitors.There were few problems and those that cropped up were quickly taken care of.
Adam Longoria of Texas showed why he is perhaps the most overall greatest Sports Karate practitioner of this decade winning an amazing six divisions and two forms grand championships. The secrete agent Omar Guerrero flashed into the night finals and left with adult contemporary forms grand only to be rumored winning at the tables and perhaps taking home more than he came with.Eboni Adams screamed and fought her way to form and sparring wins. Eboni can be seen in the movie Blade kicking Wesley Snipes through several panes of glass and showing off her footspeed and flexibility. A newcomer to the blackbelt division Boni Yanagisawa performed her Japanese form flawlessly and the judges awarded her the traditional forms grand over Jesse Manegdeg who was also excellent, Boni won by two hundredths of a point.
Now about the sparring, Bill Hunter of Vancouver showed that old guys can still put on a great fight then get up and go to work the next morning, Bill won the senior sparring grand. Jamie Mathews of California fought in the senior middle weight division and showed again that age does not mean you can’t be a great champion. Chris Mcbride of Ohio who defeated Joel Wazel of Vancouver went on to win the Men’s sparring grand. Now for my favorite fight because both fighters are my friends and world champions, Camille DeLoach and Linda Pugliese squared off and gave one of the best fights of the knight. Regina Thompson, Daniel Dixon, Angela Hayes, Breanna Clymer all great champions gave the women’s fighters divisions and grands the most exciting fights of the tournament,thanks girls.
Boyce Lydell ran the night time finals efficiently and with the talent on hand including Chris Casamassa of Mortal Combat fame the show was much better than any of the other shows I saw that knight on the strip. Chris Cassamassa and Ronald Osborne performed stunt kicks and other amazing techniques followed by the champions competition. for the Grand Championships.
Other great champions that need mention are Richard Brown of Texas men’s senior heavy champion. Bobby Lawrence winning a large 42+ sparring division,Butch Togisala of California winning men’s super heavy continuous sparring, Valerie Bruce winning four divisions in forms and fighting 11 years and under, Mark Russo soft forms, Shelly Allen 15-17 female junior forms and weapons. Chris Sublett of texas winning 12-14 Jap/oke forms and junior self defense and Dan Baker senior hard and 42+ open forms.I mention these champions so you can get an idea of the level of competition that this event produced there were martial artist from all over the country and at least fifteen other country’s were represented at Barbie Witz Las Vegas Tournament.
If I were Siskel and Ebert I would have to give this event two thumbs up and another successful NBL tournament on the Western Pacific National Conference one of the three national conference circuits that exist on the road to the Super Grands that will decide who will be the 1998 world champions. The NBL is supported by over three hundred SKI tournaments and sixty four other NBL tournaments that are held all over the world throughout the year.
