Once again I venture deep into the heart of Louisiana. Compelled by the desire for riches and wealth, Just kidding, I really went to Pe Wee Blanco’s NBL karate tournament. This years event was again held at the fabulous Comeaux Center located in the heart of the colleague district. Luckily February the 3rd and 4th turned out to be perfect days with temperatures in the low seventies. Untouched by any hurricane or storms, Lafayette’s beauty and scenic charm is apparent to all who venture there.
Many of Louisiana’s best martial artist were there to support not only the NBL, SKIL and LKL but the state of Martial arts in Louisiana itself. A strong and vibrant people able to overcome diversity or disaster, they share what is common in all of America, a desire to be great. The discussion can be made as to the mechanics of what greatness is, but it lives here in Louisiana, I have seen and felt its presence. One of the great things about the martial arts is the lack of color in it. There are no black, white or yellow people, only a family who share a living art and a soul that transcends all barriers. Louisiana is representative of this code and being a melting pot of the south, it lends its own unique flavor to all who participates at its events.
This event has grown quickly. Last year the entire Chuck Norris Team showed up. This year a large group from across the south came. With competitors from Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, Texas, California, Louisiana and across the country. Some of the more impressive dignitaries included Noah Bertsch from Portland Oregon who coordinated the whole event. The variety of styles and participants was truly representative of what a national event should be. This included some impressive National teams and individuals who have made the support of martial arts there passion.
Black belts in attendance elevated the level of competition to new heights. Just a few years ago it was unusual to see such incredible feats of dynamic strength and flexibility. But now it is common to see these kids and young adults performing in a twenty by twenty foot ring what it takes Olympic Gymnasts an eighty foot area to accomplish. Black belt champion Jason Hutchinson won men’s hard creative and musical forms division. Jason and all creative trick artists really add excitement to the martial arts. They do this by giving life and variety to art of open competition and they constantly push the envelope to what can be done in a small area. Some of the great junior black belt creative forms competitors who also gave their contribution to this event were Travis Rousselle, Alex Kwon, Ryan George, Mike Murphy, Dela Jakub Wood.
In the traditional forms divisions Katlyn Robertson, Zachary Blundell, Shavaun Langley and Jonathan Rios were the top champions of junior black belt forms. While the adult traditional forms champions included David McSwain, Trey Hammons, Dorathy Ramon and Susan Langley. In weapons yours truly Johnnie Murphy ruled in men’s hard creative, thirty five plus and adult traditional weapons. The junior division weapons champions were Travis Rousselle, Alex Kwon, Joseph Pruiett, Jonathon Rios, Brittan Kabela and Dela Jakub Wood. Travis Rousselle won the junior forms grand championship against twelve other champions.
In the specialty divisions, Amy Davis displayed a most impressive routine to win in self defense. Armando Parra from Florida set up a virtual rock garden and smashed through as many as eight concrete blocks to win in Breaking. Amanda Duhon was first in team forms. Team GOP took both junior and adult team sparring.
This was a two day event with the weapons; specialty and most of the contemporary divisions being ran on Friday night. Saturday brought a much larger crowed. Fighting and traditional forms always brings out most of the competitors at events of this type. Under belt competitor added to the overall quality of this competition. Many large divisions were completed on time by the skill of Noah Borsch, who by the way is a real live professional efficiency expert, that’s what he does for a living and because of his skill this event ran on time. Also Noah and Deanna Borsch produce the Pacific Jewel Nationals in Portland Oregon, so Noah’s skill at running this type of event is somewhat legendary.
Black belt junior point and continuous sparring divisions included some impressive matches with the usual mom’s dad’s coaches and teams losing reality in the air of the moment and that’s putting it lightly. But this is the usual result and without this show of confused excitement these events would be boring. Junior black belt sparring champions were Travis Roselle, Andree Parrott, Ryan George, Charlie Davidson, Kadyn Robertson, Megan Mirc, Shavaun Langley, Beau Burns, Jonathan Rios, Jeremy Butler, Joshua Romero, Jonathan Curole, Amanda Duhon and Keila Young.
Adult fighters always compete last, except continuous sparring which runs on Friday nights. Mostly fighters mosey in about noon, check out the action, sometimes go get lunch, and some help judge and then hang out. Many go back to sleep. On the floor or somewhere out of sight… But when fighting time arrives they come out of the woodworks and spring to life. That’s what I love about big Karate events. You never really know who’s there until there division’s up. Many fighters from the Gulf area were present and had impressive matches. The two top teams present were Teams GOP and FOCUS. Both teams sponsored top fighters with some from as far away as California.
Fighters in the adult continuous sparring divisions who went home as first place champions were Adam Longoria, Joshua Lamaire, Bryan Young, Chris Gallio and Regina Thompson, almost all are NBL world champions. Adult black belt Point sparring finalized the event with Women Fighters Regina Thompson and Dorathey Ramon winning female fly and light divisions. Men’s black belt point sparring winners were Adam Longoria, Jason Holmes, Anthony Mosley, Bryan Young, Chris Gallio and Clarence Wiltt. Derrick Wilson, Norman Roberts, Raymond London and Johnnie Murphy were all senior black belt point sparring champions. Susan Langley was the senior female point sparring and thirty five plus forms champion. Jason Holmes ended up winning the men’s point sparring grand championship after an exhausting fight with Bryan Young.
