Austin is one of the most beautiful cities in Texas. With a mean age of twenty five years old, its population is relatively young in comparison to other cities around the country. The proximity of several large universities and an abundance of high tech jobs attracts a younger crowd. Sure its one of the oldest cities in Texas but Austin has always been a place were state of the art has taken precedence over status quo. This out of the box thinking will always attract the latest generations of future entrepreneurs. Its also the capital of Texas and politics play a major part in its make up. The fact that there’s a lot of cool places to go and things to do only add to its attractive allure.
Having the premier Texas karate event in this centrally located metropolis allowed for a larger crowed of refined consumers in the arts of ancient combat and self enlightenment. This December 9th and 10th event was held in what once was the place were fighter pilots and heroes once roamed. The Airport Hilton was born out of the past military headquarters that was once located there. In fact you can still wander around the place and see plaques at the entrance each of its bigger meeting rooms that tell which fighter squadron met and planed its missions there. Also there are several sub levels that testify to its bomb proof ability. I can only wander what unknown subterranean military catacombs still exist right below our noses.
Now about the event. Being a two day contest it has the appearance of a top national tournament and was attended by many world and national champions from several sport karate organizations. The judges list read like a who’s who of the current Texas martial arts leaders. So a fair and balanced group of people were officiating all the rings. The first night consisted of all the under black belt and black belt specialty, weapons, self defense, team sparring, black belt adult forms, Junior black belt forms and sparring. Saturdays competition consisted of all the under belt forms and sparring. Black belt sparring took place later on that afternoon. Many new people found themselves 2005 state champions before it was all over. Gold rings were given out for black belt first place accenting an already prestigious title with something to be valued for years to come.
Some of the more memorable contests were between top black belt competitors who provided exciting displays of skill. In the black belt weapons, forms, specialty and sparring a new star rose up for the challenge, Andrew Carrasco a member of Team Focus and student of Jessie Benavidez from Santa Fe Texas who was crowned adult black belt Golden Greek champion. Last years counterpart of this honor was Alex Wiik. Manuel Serrano took multiple titles in adult black belt soft and executive 35+ forms. Other black belt forms champions were Cassie Hendon – black belt women, James Cox – self defense, Amy Seeling – executive women and Donald Lawson – 45+ forms.
Under black belt divisions provided some hair raising competition epically in sparring. Many of the under belt divisions were full. This event was by invitation only and no wild card entries were accepted. So only the years top competitors were allowed to compete. Many of the seeded under black belt players from all over Texas showed up for the honor of bringing home a State champion Jacket and the 2005 AOK medals. The under belt junior forms champions were Blair Benton, Linda Liu, John Lee, Tabitha Wilson, Armand Raquemore, Bobby Rodreguez, Danica Garcia, Jose Palacios, Rommel Paul, Kaleen Pickett, Nicholas Brown, Lola Corley, Concepcion DeLeon, Alanna Thompson, Tony Hugnh, Aaron Cerda, Thuy Duong, Daniel Hicks and Christian Denning.
Adult under black belt forms champions were Miguel Alvarez, Eric Boles, Casey O’Brien, Angelica Langley, Amabilia Rincon, Katie Hicks, Nick Bryant Terry Spann, Tony Miller, Reyna Avila, Shawn Dismukes Lisa Giardino, Nicholas Brown, Bobby Rodriguez, Colt Murdoch and Sieglinde English. All these up and coming under belts gave it their best in forms and excelled in their divisions.
Under black belt sparring ran on time. The best judges in the state were also the producers of the thirty plus tournaments in the league and need to be commended for their dedication and patience. Under belt junior Sparring champions not already mentioned in the forms list were Isaiah Rivera, Kenrick Markes, John Clayton Lee, Janvier Branch, Sam Stewart, Tabitha Wilson, Chris Broussard, Ashlee Bohenblust, Donald Peterson, Josie Collins, Ryan Hoffman, Selena Peters, Ivan Romero, Ashley Nguyen, Katy Kim, Adam Arce, Kirsten Walker, Kaila Gilstrap, Shawndre Lewis, Ashley Leighton, Teshia Winn, Jessica Wade, Courtney Hart, Bryan Cooper, Eric Gray, Tim Dixon, Roger Cruz, Dallas Morrow, Emanuel Thorp, Daniel Hicks and Noah Jones.
Some of the most exciting events were adult under belt sparring champions who had hard fights due to the level of Texas fighting skills. This has been the case since the formation of the AOK in the late 1960’s. Adult under belt sparring champions were Taylor Pulido, Michael Griffin, Antwan Williams, Larry Lamette, Giovanni Vaquerano, Marvis Wilson, Brian Michael, Kennith Smith, Levi Turner, Christian Denning, Robert Loar, Charlie Burnes, Heather Wilmont, Geneva Flores, Minerva Cruz Solano, Jenifer Huch, and Phyllis Murray.
Junior black belt forms and sparring champions were no less entertaining than the under black belt divisions. Chad Cannon of Team GOP rose to the top in the black belt 16 – 17 forms with his world class moves and high flying kicks. Eric Cantu of Team K2 Karate pulled several well choreographed aerials to win the 14 – 15 forms. The fight between Loston Smith and Charlie Davidson was so intense that the fight ran unusually long due to the many time outs to adjust gear and put spectators and chairs back into place. In the end Loston Smith took first in the 16 – 17 sparring. Other black belt junior champions were Logan Heidt 12 – 13 forms and Jonathan Rios 10 – 11 forms, Blair Edwards 10-11 boys sparring, Danielle Palomo 10 -11 girls sparring, Valencia Price 12 – 13 girls sparring, Crystal Blue 14 -17 girls sparring, Andre Parrott, James Davidson 14 – 15 boys sparring and Charleston
Green won Junior black belt specialty. An honorable mention needs to be in given to Garrett Lee who performed a near perfect Seienchin traditional kata.
Black belt sparring rounded out the whole tournament. Some of the best fighters in the country were present for a chance to win one of those gold rings. Jason Chartouni and Alek Wiik battled it out in the men’s light weight sparring with Jason pulling ahead for the win. The 35+ sparring division proved to be a surprise as top fighters vied for the championship. Anthoney Allen and Manuel Serrano went down to the wire with each competitor launching major blitzes at their opponent. Anthony Allen ended up winning the 35+ sparring division. DE Cambers was the 35+ heavy weight champion. Golden Greek winner and 45+ forms champion Donald Lawson made a clean sweep of the 45+ divisions by winning at sparring also. Margaret Beasley won the executive women’s sparring. Other sparring winners were Lindsey Porter – women’s light weight, Cassie Hendon – women’s fly weight and Jason Matthews – men’s heavy weight.
In what can only be described as “ the fight of the century” Andrew Carrasco and Andree Lockhart had the entire audience gathered around their ring in the final and most exciting fight of the Texas State Championships. As the fight progressed the intensity grew to overwhelming dimensions. Larry Lockhart and half the crowed was screaming for Andree and the other half yelling for Andrew. Both fighters were highly skilled champions and had their energy boosted by the many people there. The fight went back and forth with both fighters launching themselves in every type of blitz and combination in the book. Finally after what seemed and eternity Andrew Carrasco pulled ahead and the house came unglued with excitement as the final seconds ran down. Andrew Carrasco was to go home with the final title of the day in the men’s middle weight sparring division. Later that evening the 2005 banquet was held where the champion rings and yearly awards for Golden Greek were given ending another Texas AOK State Championships.
