I have known Jason Holmes, the producer of this event, for over three decades, since he was attending and then later graduating from Prairie View A&M. In 2001, he was on Team Focus, my NBL team, along with other top world champions like Rommel Gargoles, Bear Loebe, Norman Roberts, Johnny Shaw and a formidable list of word class champions. Over the last 28years I have seen Jason Holmes, AKA J-Dog, grow into an amazing champion who has always been one of the top competition fighters in sport martial arts. Many are unaware that he is also a skilled Kempo style kata champion. Some of his other accomplishments are as a successful school owner, businessman, TKO Promoter and family man. Jason Holmes has always been one of the most polite and respectful people I have known. His tournament is one of the best attended events as shown by the overwhelming attendance of this year’s August 8th Top Dog Nationals held at the prestigious ULH Sports Center Complex in NW Houston,
The ULH Sports Center was packed with competitors, parents, and spectators. At the height of the competition, finding space to store gear or sit was difficult because many martial arts disciplines were represented. The rings were run by professional black belts who regularly officiate on the TKO circuit and are assigned to the TKO State Championships and WKO World Championships. One of my favorites was the grappling and mixed martial arts categories because they were putting up an all-out effort and I was especially impressed with the high level of skill they possessed. The kickboxing and continuous sparring competitors had the crowdjumping up and down as their junior and adult champions had the ULH Sports complex rocking and rolling
The day proceeded with an army of competitors pushing for their shot at being the Top Dog Nationals champion and taking home a prestigious Top Dog Championship ring. The action in the competition breaking area was amazing with Grandmaster April Cunningham’s breakers pulling out top honors as they broke everything in sight including a few fingers and toes, just kidding Lol, so no one had to go to the hospital. There was a myriad of styles on the floor jamming the competition with action resulting in an orchestra of controlled mayhem and great performances.
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The grand championships proceeded with all age categories and ranks participating as usual. Being a grand champion was an added plus and a most prestigious honor. In one of the best and largest divisions in the under black belt performances I witnessed Junior under black belt Rodney Phillips perform an awesome kata and took top honors to win with an impressive Kata. Ace Dhanani, Aced the Junior black belt division to take home his Top Dog Nationals trophy. In the adult black belt grands, the new Sherrif in town was Shadi Al-Tawrah performed one of the most exciting and crazy cool musical staff performances in weapons I have seen …… ever. I was totally blown away and believe we will be seeing more from this Shadi Al-Tawrah champion. The other competitors were also top champions with a collage of new and exciting tricks andunbelievable performances. Brady Clayton, Samantha Melchor, and Ashley Lopez provided high level skills with out of sight performances. The sparring grands ended the event with Chance Turner having total war with the amazing “Deshawn” it was a most memorable contest between two of the best in Texas with Chance Turner and earning a well-deserved victory.
This was one of the most well attended tournaments that I have been to and competed at this year and would give it a AAA rating for having some of the best action, martial arts excellence aswell as the most attended so far in 2026.
