For the last several years a group of legendary grand masters have produced a showdown of the top martial arts competitors in the world. The Universal Martial Arts Hall of Fame is headed up by Professor Silverio Guerra and the several other grand masters.
They put together this July 26th 2008 event that showcased talent from some of the best competitors in the world. Tae Kwon Do grand master and World Champion Daryl K Stewart along with grand master Ovid Rodriguez were the senior officials making sure things were ran efficiently.
The Saturday competition proceeded on time with forms competitors crowding the main ball room of the Houston, Texas Sheraton North Grand Hotel and Conference Center. Executive Vice Chairman Adam Guerra could be seen scurrying around making sure the grappling and other special features of the tournament were proceeding efficiently. A disciplined group of contestants lent a special air to all the proceedings and courteous officials reduced tension making competition flow without incident.
Martial artist from Mexico, Canada, Guatemala, USA and other countries were judging and competing in all rings. Some of the best talent from around the world was showcasing their skill and just having fun. Team Canada came out on top winning a large number of world titles and pulling off wins in the adult Super Grand Championship categories. With Team Canada’s Adam Molnar winning the adult forms Grand and Julian Shamuon taking the overall junior forms grand’s. Julian’s phenomenal creative weapons form was unparallel as he flew through the air wielding his katana.
Other great performances were from some impressive past champions as Jimmy Steger and his entire competition team once again solidified their dominance in many of the adult and junior divisions and taking home gold in the adult executive forms categories and junior traditional divisions. Cesar Marian asserted his supremacy in soft forms and weapons. Cindy Keys was the adult women’s overall champion. Top junior champions were Garett Lee son of the legendary world champion “Gary Lee” and Oliver price with his amazing Kenpo karate talent.
Grappling divisions concluded with new world champions and gold to take back for their effort. The Sparring divisions intensified during the latter part of the event with intense contests proceeding in both the under black belt and black belt divisions. One of the best contests in sparring was between black belt juniors Garett Lee of Houston Texas and Julian Shamuon of Canada.
This match went back and forth with the balance shifting as the fight progressed. Finally after some intense moments Garett Lee emerged victorious over Julian and became the Junior black belt boys sparring grand champion.
The tournament was a success with all in attendance satisfied. Many instructor’s were glad they brought their students to this well run and pleasant event. Congratulations to the guys at the UMAHOF organization and well be back next year.
