El Paso Texas was once a small Spanish mission founded by the Conquistador Don Juan De Onate. As the southwest grew this little outpost expanded into a stopover point for the long trips between Mexico City and Santa Fe New Mexico which at that time was providence of Mexico. The trail that ran in this avenue of commerce was known as the Camino Real.
The tournament hotel for Laco Villanueva’s July 7th and 8th 2006 Battle Of The Champions was The El Camino Real. Named after the early highway for European settlers. This massive hotel was built in 1912. As could be expected it is a masterpiece of antiquity. The main lounge is crowned by majestic columns and elaborate cornices that reflect the Victorian age from which it was spawn. The rest of the Hotel is just as intricate in its turn of the century architecture. Within a short walking distance from the hotel is the El Paso Convention Center and the place where the tournament was held. An early start on Friday allowed for an organized and relaxed atmosphere. Many of the top champions from around the USA and Latin America were in attendance. This event held the key to winning the NBL Pan Am national conference.
These NBL national tournaments all have the same format. The sequence of divisions varies only slightly form each event. Throughout Friday evening the divisions ran efficiently. Black belt and under black belt Weapons, forms and continuous sparring were up. all proceeded from the order set up on the ring assignments with very little change. Plenty of black belt judges were on hand to officiate.
Saturday morning started off with many competitors from Mexico, Guatemala, Canada, USA and other Latin American countries vying for a national seed towards the Super Grand World Games. A win at this tournament was significant since the Pan Am National Conference only has two tournaments. Many competitors from the Western Pacific and Can Am National Conference were in attendance to elevate the competition and put on a great show.
Later Saturday evening first place winners from selected divisions were up on the stage for the night time finals and a chance for money and prestigious grand championships. An impressive staff of officials and judges were there to give a special atmosphere to the night. Laco Villanueva spared no expense to make this event fun and memorable. Members of the local armed forces started the event off with the flag ceremony followed by the usual ceremonial acknowledgements.
First up after the opening ceremonies were Junior Choreographed musical forms. Sage Northcutt, Mia Caldwell and Justin Lewis competed with Justin Lewis coming out on top. Melissa Sioson and Darrel Lewis were showing some impressive moves in adult contemporary forms with Darrel Lewis coming out of retirement to impress the crowed and win.
Six junior continuous sparring divisions were picked for the night time finals. Several of the contests were very intense and captivated the audience with their nonstop action. Winners included Derick Torres, Kevin Torres, Gene Middleton, Sean McGinnis, Anthoney McGinnis and Aldimir Torres.
Adult men’s black belt team sparring pitted GOP against DDX. The first fight was Troy Waley against Roberto Torres both fighters are fast with great counter fighting skills. The next team match pitted Chris Gallio against Edgar Cordova. Talk about evenly matched components, these two had the moves with each pulling off their latest stunts to gain the advantage. With Team DDX ahead it was up to Brian Young to pull out the win for GOP. Brian went up against Ryan Gonzalez of California. After a heated exchange that had Brian on the offensive time ran out leaving DDX winning men’s team point sparring.
Brittan Kabela went against Mia Caldwell in the junior choreographed musical weapons grand. Brittan Kabela was burning up the stage with his staff form until he dropped his weapon leaving the way to an easy win for Mia Caldwell. Mia performed with her usual perfection and won. Darrel Lewis, Edgar Cordova and Noe Ortega ran next in adult contemporary weapons grand championship. Darrel Lewis stole the show with his exhibition of aerial dynamics and classic kama skill to take first place.
Junior Point sparring matches pitted Miguel Soto against Frankie Fernandez with Frankie winning boys 13-14 black belt point sparring. Ryan George went against A J Maunder for the boys 14-15 year old point sparring championship. After some very ardent exchanges and a few time outs Ryan George came out on top. Senior men’s point sparring grand championship was a contest between Ronald George and Troy Waley. Troy won using his speed to overcome the power and reach of the much – larger Ronald George.
Sage Northcutt was victorious over Sergio Calva and Muguel Soto in the junior Japanese forms grand. Adult traditional forms and weapons was a contest between Edgar Cordova – men’s Korean forms, Melissa Sioson – Female Japanese forms, Corky Sikes – men’s Japanese forms Julio Domingo – Kenpo Polynesian forms and Johnnie Murphy – traditional weapons champion. This was the biggest grand championship of the tournament and had top world champions vying for the five hundred dollars and the grand championship. After the final competitor ran Corky Sikes was declared winner and took home the money
Junior Korean forms grand championship had Jake Lysgaard, Frankie Fernandez and Gene Middleton competing against each other with Frankie Fernandez and Gene Middleton tying. The judges did a point off and Frankie came out on top for the championship. The women’s point sparring champion was Regina Thompson.
The last four fighters left from earlier eliminations of all the eligible first place champions in the men’s point sparring divisions were up last.
Christian Flores of Guatemala went head to head with Roberto Torres of Texas. Both fighters possessed speed and experience. The fight ran over due to the intense nature of the fight and the fact that Roberto had injured his nose in the Friday nights competition. Finally as time ran down Roberto was ahead by one point allowing him to continue to the last match.
Ryan Gonzalez and Brian Young, both from California competed for a slot in the last fight for the money. Bryan pulled ahead and ended up going to the final fight. The last division of the tournament was the fight between Roberto Torres and Bryan Young. Both are members of Team GOP. Bryan was doing all kind of crazy stuff in an attempt to show off. Roberto Torres had to be in pain from earlier injuries and was not one hundred percent. Roberto don’t care who you are and will always fight to win but with a broken nose there was only so much he could do. Bryan is one of the best fighters in the NBL and between the two of them they put on a good fight with Bryan ending up taking home the money and the title of 2006 Battle Of The Champions men’s point sparring grand championship.
