After forty years of competition, Allen Steens United States Karate Championship has seen legendary martial artist compete. Some of the most famous people to cut there teeth and make a name in this event were Chuck Norris, Bill Wallace, Joe Lewis, Skipper Mullins, Fred Wren, Demetrius Havanus, Ishmael Robles, Linda Denly, Roy Kurban, Ray McCallum, Kieth Yates, Pat Burleson, Ed Daniels, James Toney, Fred Simon, Troy Dorsey, Larry Caster and a long list of champions from the last four decades.
In a time when there were no World Championship events, the United States Karate Championships, located in Dallas Texas provided a way for many martial artists to make a name for themselves. This tournament was considered a must to compete at if you wanted to be recognized as the top forms competitor or fighter in the world.
One of several massive tournaments in the country, it was a required event in a series of tournaments that could get you rated by Black Belt Magazine and Karate Illustrated. Sport Karate evolved from a bunch of traditional martial artist deciding to create a method for exhibiting different styles, creating new organizations and developing cutting edge skills that would elevate martial arts to a new level. Therefore, people like Allen Steen, Ed Parker, Joe Corley, Ken Eubanks, Jhoon Rhee and several other well-known martial artist put together these massive tournaments and they made legends.
Winding down the clock to present times, we find this event still in operation doing what it does the best and creating a new generation of legends. Bob and Margaret Beasley inherited this prestigious event from Allen Steen. They have continued to set high standards for this tournament. Over eight hundred competitors crowded the Mesquite Convention Center, just outside Dallas, for a chance to win and make their name in sport karate. June 21st arrived clear and crisp as Texas sunshine filled everything with renewed vitality.
Eighteen competition rings filled the convention hall and people packed in wall to wall. Dallas martial arts royalty were in attendance with many judging rings full of little dragons or pink clad female fighters. The tournament ran with Swiss efficiency and a determined resolve. Judges from the Texas AOK were there in force as this was an A rated event.
Competition started with forms and weapons divisions. William Sheldon stood out as the top competitor in his divisions. He won multiple championships in Black Belt 45 plus kata, 35 plus specialty and Black Belt Weapons. One of the oldest competitors in the tournament, Dann Baker won soft forms. Amy Seeling won executive women’s kata. Martha Garcia was first in women’s kata. In the other black belt men’s divisions, Erik Wiedeman, Mike Polomo, Courtney Allen and Andrew Carrasco were champions.
Junior black belt kata and weapons divisions ran concurrent to the adult divisions. A number of top juniors were vying for top spot in their divisions. Among the list of first place winners were Valasquez Bryaen, Isaac Jones, Brandon Campbell, Jersan Kannady, Luis Torres and Michael Sapp.
Many under black belt divisions were exhibiting the future champions as they did everything possible to stand out in massive divisions. Complements should be made to all these kids and adults in the under black belt divisions for their dedication. Patient parents seemed nervous as their children fought while moms were on edge and dads seemed to have intense facial expressions.
Ardent junior black belt sparring divisions had loud parents cheering for their kids. Some great junior black belt fights terminated with new champions emerging to put their name on the long list of those past competitors at this event. Black belt champions were Velasquez Bryaen, Taylor Blackwell, Tyler Rogers, Selena Peters, Alan Ibarra, Jersan Kannady, Connie Deleon and Peter Chartoni.
Last up were black belt adult point sparring with Mike hill battling it out in the final fight with the oldest competitor at the tournament who was Chuck Timmons. Chuck is like the ever-ready battery, he just keeps going and going and going. Unfortunately, fortune was not his this day and Mike Hill won the 45+ point sparring division.
In a series of classic battles, the black belt men’s light weight point sparring division came down to Jason Holmes and Alex Wiik. Both are unquestionably the best fighters in the country. After a drawn out series of clashes Jason Holmes pulled out the winning point after being tied in overtime. Regina Thompson “the top women’s fighter in the world” blasted her way through the black belt women’s lightweight division to add her name to the list at the United States Karate Championship archives.
Andrew Carrasco fought Heavy weight an unusual change considering he started last year off fighting middleweight. The men’s heavy weight division was big and ended up Andrew Carrasco against Andre Hodge. In a fight that went down to the wire with Andrew pulling out top spot and a chance for a shot at the grand championship money. Other black belt point sparring champions were Amy Seeling, Kari Spann, Dustin Matthews, Anthony Allen and Daniel Perez.
All grand championships were run on stage in the nighttime finals. The forms Grand Championship was a showdown between all the black belt adult forms winners earlier in the day. William Sheldon ran a powerful kama form and won with the closest score being Andrew Carrasco who lost by a narrow margin.
Point sparring grand championships were also fought off during the nighttime finals with Regina Thompson defeating Kari Spann in the women’s black belt point sparring grand championship. Anthony Allen won the black belt men’s point sparring grand. Anthony is a crafty tactician who was able to defeated Mike Hill utilizing an almost unnatural ability to read his opponents attacks and rebound with effective counter fight moves.
Jason Holmes made quick work of Dustin Matthews who has an effective use of somewhat unorthodox blitz combinations. However, Jason Holmes is a seasoned world champion and can quickly adapt to any fighter. Jason initiated effective counter measures then was able to use a series of blitzes and overcome Dustin.
By the way, Bob and Margaret were giving out $500.00 grand championship money to the winners. Now next up and the final event was a series of Lone Star legends matches that occurred after some special musical team demonstrations performed by the Jessie Benavidez karate school. Some special old time champions had a go at it for old time sake.
Al Garza, Ishmael Robles, Tim Kirby, Chuck Timmons, David Vines and Regina Thompson battled it out against David Mason, Mike Palomo, Daniel Perez, Kristy Shawkey, Joe Gillum and Moses Williams. In what can only be described as interesting and somewhat unusual. These fights had the unmistakable trademark of latent maniacal tendencies. Just kidding, they were entertaining and it was good to see some of these people fight again.
Now… one of the top draws to the nighttime finals was actually the Hooters Girls who were serving up the buffet and beer, which was real popular with the guys. However, some of the wives were not amused but it was all in good humor and everyone had a blast during and after the whole thing finalized. I plan to attend next year for sure.
