D.E Chambers has a long history of producing quality martial arts events. His organization seems to consistently produce well run and on time karate tournaments. This year was no exception. Co-Producers Derick Quick and Antonio Anderson teamed up to expedite the action. The judges were paid by the number of divisions they ran and worked in. The top judges received money and all the judges were well taken care of during the event. D.E and Sharika Chambers could be seen keeping things on track attributing to the success of this May 14th 20011 Texas AOK AAA rate tournament.
Starting at 9 am as advertised, this tournament exemplified the height of efficiency. Westfield High School’s three main Gyms were packed. Many competitors were competing and finalizing their divisions ahead of time resulting in the quick completion to the event. There were a lot of bicycles given out to the under black belt champions. Many top Texas AOK promoters and officials were working hard to make this event finalize as quickly as possible. Top adult and junior black belt competitors from around the state accented the level of competition.
Some of the top black belt adult kata champions with multiple first place were Alfredo Bustamonte who won two divisions the 18 plus traditional and open forms. Johnnie Murphy won three divisions in the adult weapons, executive 35 plus specialty and 45 plus open kata. Ghassan Maghames also won big with his first places in adult plus specialty, adult soft kata and team kata. Sheryl Quick won women’s 32 plus kata and women’s executive point sparring. Mike Polomo won the black belt men’s 35 plus executive kata and 35 plus men’s point sparring.
Other black belt adult champions were Connie DeLeon who won women’s black belt kata and Courtney Allen took home first in Adult black belt self defense. Junior black belt forms champions were also ramping up the action with the usual mix of Texas best. Under black belt divisions made this tournament. The junior and adult beginners, intermediates and advanced divisions were showcasing their skills and rocked.
Point sparring ran last as usual. After an impressive crowed of junior and adult under black belt fighters concluded the junior black belt divisions were ran. There were a couple of memorable junior sparring divisions. In the boys 12 to 13 years old where Conner Gilliam and Sam Stewart were putting on a show in there last fight where Conner pulled out an impressive win in a large division. Girls 12 to 13 years old fight champion was Lizbeth Villegas. Other Junior black belt divisions also finalized with some impressive action.
Adult black belt sparring divisions concluded the action. Ashley Woods, a Texas legend since the last decade as a junior champion, was the black belt women’s light weight point sparring champion. Martha Garcia came back from an earlier loss in kata to win the women’s black belt point sparring championship. Sheryl Quick was the women’s 32 plus sparring champion. After an impressive run off Martha Garcia emerged as the women’s point sparring grand champion.
The men’s point sparring champions were up last. An impressive men’s heavy weight division ended up with a contest between Garrett Lee and Mike Garcia. After some fast series of blitzes and counter attacks Garrett ended up on top. Joe Richardson was first in the men middle weight group. Jacobie Gilder won the men’s light weight point sparring with Christopher Maniet 2nd and Matt Tyler 3rd . In the senior divisions Mike Polomo was the men’s 35 plus winner. Courtney Allen, Larry Fields and Tracey Snowden fought it out for the men’s 35 plus heavy weight championship. After some vicious pounding Tracey Snowden pulled out the championship. Barry Benton pulled ahead in a close final 45 plus senior executive fight with Buddy Hudson.
In the men’s grand championships all the first place men’s divisional winners fought it out for the prize money. First up Gerrett Lee and Tracey Snowden went at it in a tough fight with Garrett winning in classic fight that pitted young guy against old guy. Then Jacobie Gilder fought Joe Richardson in an unusual contest where Jacobie Gilder proved once again he can mix comedy with fighting in a most entertaining fight for his win.
Then last up for the money was Garrett Lee and Jacobie Gilder. Now this fight was serious. No comedy routines in this match only serious fighting. The two fighters have totally different styles. Garrett launched fast blitzes and great offensive techniques. Jacobie used his height, reach and speed to counter Garrett’s offense in a close call for his win and the 2011 men’s point sparring grand championship.
