2011 Spindletop

2011 Spindletop

Fred Simon is one of the Texas AOK’s top promoters. Grandmaster Simon was sick in January but recovered and was in good health at his tournament. This years Spindletop Karate tournament was originally slated to run the first week of February but due to freezing weather it was postponed until March 26th 2011. Fred seemed to be on top of things and welcomed many people at the door like old friends at a picnic.

Linda Denley, Nelda Edwards, Cindy Benavidez and several other Texas AOK officials were keeping things on track and running the tournament efficiently. Competitors from all over Texas showed up to make this tournament one of the best attended ever with over 360 competitors. West brook High School in Beaumont has been the location of this tournament for many years now. The gym has a lowered competition area with raised bleachers giving spectators excellent views of the action on the wooden court floor.

2011 Spindletop

The action got under way on time with weapons, specialty and black belt kata up first. Ryan Garza was first in the 11 and under junior amateur specialty. Zach Johnson was first in 12 to 17 years old black belt specialty and junior team kata. Eric Cantu won the 18 plus black belt specialty with Johnnie Murphy winning the black belt executive specialty, black belt weapons and black belt senior executive kata. In a special note 65 years old Charles Manuel came out of retirement to compete in the executive divisions. Courtney Allen was the black belt self defense champion.

Under black belt competitors filled the competition floor as several large schools were in attendance. Master Paul, Antonio Anderson and several other head instructors were responsible for and exceptional turn out of under black belt champions. These kids and adults travel all over the state and elevate the overall level of the competition. Many of the most exciting competition did in fact come from these great junior and senior competitors and thanks needed to be given for there constant support and energy especially at this tournament.

2011 Spindletop

The adult black belt kata competitors were in rare form. Martha Garcia won the black belt women’s kata and the black belt traditional kata divisions. Sheryl Quick was the black belt executive women’s kata champion. Top champions competed in the adult men’s divisions with Eric Cantu winning the black belt men’s open kata. Chris Maniet from Howe Texas a relative rookie to the AOK East needs mention for his performances in weapons and kata divisions.

Many of the AOK’s best junior black belt champions were present. These champions were, Salvator Amaya black belt 10 to 11 years old kata chempion, Maritza Gaeta black belt girls 10 to 11 kata, Lizbeth Villegas 12 to 13 girls kata, Danica Garcia 14 to 15 black belt girls kata, William Vasquez 14 to 15 boys kata, Samantha Garcia 16 to 17 girls black belt kata and Rommell Paul who won the boys 16 to 17 black belt kata.

2011 Spindletop

Some junior black belt sparring champions were Maritza Gaeta girls 10 to 11 black belt sparring, Lizabeth Villegas 12 ton 13 black belt sparring, Blair Benton 10 to 11 black belt sparring, Jeffery Rector boys 14 to 15 black belt sparring, Conner Gilliam boys 13 to 13 black belt sparring and Danica Garcia who was first in the girls 14 to 17 black belt sparring.

2011 Spindletop

Last up was adult black belt fighters. Top men’s fighters from around the state were vying for first place. Matt Tyler won the men’s adult light weight black belt division. Joe Richardson was first in the men’s adult middle weight and Charlie Davidson took the adult men’s heavy weight championship. Martha Garcia was first in the adult women’s fly weight division and Ashley Wood was the women’s light weight champion. In the old guy divisions Donald Peterson was the executive men’s black belt champion and Barry Benton was first in the men’s black belt senior executive sparring. This concluded this years Spindletop Karate Championship.