One of the crossroads between Houston and Baton Rouge is the thriving metropolis of Lafayette. A beautiful drive down Interstate I – 10 that leaves you feeling refreshed by the boundless beauty provided by nature. A drive I have made many times and look forward to.
Pe Wee Blanco, One of the Bayou Conference producers hosted this NBL Regional tournament at the Comeaux Center Pavilion. Mr. Blanco and his staff of workers made every effort to help make this event a first class tournament. One of the things I like most about Louisiana is that even though it was February 4th and 5th the weather was beautiful sunny and the day temperatures were in the seventies. And just as the weather the people in Lafayette are beautiful especially since the tournament was in the LSU college district.
One of the best things about this event was the Chuck Norris Karate Team that picked this tournament to showcase there Talent at this first southern NBL event of the season. Some of the top members were on hand including the stunt double for Chuck who made me do a double take. Thirty of Chun Kuk Do best champions were present.
The usual Texas and Louisiana NBL champions were on hand and were winning most of the black belt divisions. David Johnson showed up with his Team K2 and won in the junior divisions with David winning in weapons and forms. Chris Gallio brought Team GOP who won in junior forms and adult point sparring. Chris won the 15-17 year old black belt weapons and boy’s point sparring. Johnnie Murphy and Team Focus won in the adult weapons, senior weapons and point sparring with Normon Roberts winning big in senior point sparring and ending up going head to head with Jason Holmes, Derrick Cox and Derrick Stinson in the men’s adult black belt point sparring grand championship. Jason Holmes proved to be the day’s champion and won the money.
Chris Gallio battled it out with the A list of NBL junior champions that included Clarissa Villanueva, Eric Cantu, Jared Bernal, Allan Bedruz and Travis Rousselle. Chris was the judges choice with a powerful and dynamic staff form. Bear Loebe, David Johnson and Chun Kuk Do champion Derrick Stinson competed for the contemporary forms grand. Bear Loebe won with an awesome open hand form. In black belt team point sparring, Team Focus headed by Normon Roberts, took out two Chun Kuk Do teams for the win. Teams GOP and CKD won the junior boys and girls team point sparring. Regina Thompson, always impressive in women’s black belt point sparring, quickly eliminated all competition and was the women’s grand champion. David Johnson pulled out the win in the black belt traditional forms grands.
Other winners in the Black belt divisions who showed impressive talent and need congratulations were Colby Northcutt and Lionel Ellison winning in junior point and continuous sparring. Both had tough fights against large divisions. Dann Baker, Jimmy Stegea, Anthony Mosley and Richard Hartstein, also made this events black belt divisions competition the best in sport Karate.
