New Orleans has made a remarkable recovery since Hurricane Katrina. Many of the greatest landmark places that define this city are back in full stride pumping out first class food and entertainment. The French Quarter and downtown look better than last year and I noticed only minor evidence of the 2005 storm. The Bourbon street party never ends and celebration is always on the agenda. Also the French Quarter attracts people from all over the world as its old world charm permeates the atmosphere.
Augustus Blanco always picks the New Orleans Marti Gras as his event time. February 6th and 7th 2009 was the date for this NBL national martial arts tournament. The down town Hilton’s 100,000 square foot tennis and racquet ball club provided the venue for all events. Many well known martial artist from across the country showed up for the competition. The Louisiana Karate League producers and officials were there to help provide efficient tournament operation. Louisiana officials are known for fair and impartial judging.
Louisiana people support there martial arts events with the many schools in the area always show up in force. This years event was also supported by a large Texas contingent as usual. Everybody in this neck of the woods loves Louisiana and this tournament has always seen big crowds.
Friday night started off with weapons and forms. The competition in contemporary weapons was the best ever with big junior competition divisions. Nick Porter, Enrique Diaz, Taylor Granger and Jersan Kannady rounding out the contemporary forms divisional champions. Eric Jones, Chad Cannon and Johnnie Murphy took the adult and senior black belt contemporary forms championships. Of particular note is Chad Cannon who was unstoppable with his aerials and fast hand techniques.
The weapons divisions were attended with such great world champions as Mike Spizzuco, Andrew Caliban and Johnnie Murphy who dueled it out in traditional weapons with Andrew Caliban coming out on top after a tie and runoff with Johnnie Murphy. Junior traditional champions were Trever Brownell in the 14 years and under champion with Nick Cain first place in 15 to 17 years division.
The Contemporary weapons divisions were also won by the same group of top competitors. Johnnie Murphy took out the senior contemporary weapons with his dynamic katana routine. Chad Cannon reached new heights as he flew over his competition in musical weapons forms and The amazing Louisiana champion Troy Hammons was in rare form winning adult contemporary weapons. Junior contemporary weapons champions were James Uras 14 and under, Nick Cain 15 to 17 years champion with Trever Brownell and Nick Cain rounding out the top spots as musical weapons champions.
Junior and adult traditional forms champions were Garrett Lee, Trever Brownell, Ronny Zapata, Francisco Lara JR and Jose Lara JR. All won in Junior Japanese/Oke and Korean forms. Adult Champions were Jimmy Steger, Andrew Caliban, Mike Spizzuco who won the senior and adult Japanese/Oke and Korean. Natalie King won in women’s Korean forms. Self defense and breaking were won by Lee Ordonio in adult Choreographed, Nick Cain in the junior traditional and Mike Spizzuco who won adult traditional self defense.
Continuous fighters were also proceeding simultaneous with forms and weapons. This type of fighting provides non stop action in most fights due to the rules that dictate that the numbers of kicks and punches landed determine the winners. The propensity for blood to flow is potentially greater than point sparring as elbows land in faces and kicks finding their mark numerous times creating shock trauma to the face and other areas under attack. This days continuous sparring was almost out of control and the referees had to step in multiple times to keep things under control. It was great!
Some of the more memorable fight divisions were in the adult light and middle weight categories as Jason Chartouni blasted his competition in the light weight division. Chance Turner was unstoppable showing no fear diving at his opponents and mixing it up in heated competition. Chris Marks was first in the men’s black belt heavy weight continuous and in his usual powerful offensive style, Charlie Davidson rolled over his competition to win men’s super heavy weight continuous. Junior continuous sparring champions were Alianah Turner, Jason Villar, Tyrin Dennis, Travis Rousselle, Francisco Lara, Jerry Brown, Shameek Moore, Peter Chartouni little brother of Jason Chartouni and Jose Lara.
Saturday was fight day as the monster crowds edged out forms competition numbers.
After large under black belt forms and sparring divisions were concluded the black belt fighters were up. Junior boys black belt point sparring champions were Nico Porter 9 under, Jody Smith, 12-13 years, Roy Ulrich 14-15 years and Jose Lara Jr 16-17. Girls junior black belt point champions were Yavonnie Edwards, girls 13-14 years and Elizabeth Alba 15-17 year old girls.
Adult black belt point sparring and team sparring was up last. Ryan George took men’s light weight with Chad Cannon winning middle weight. Again Charlie Davidson was unstoppable as he overpowered his men’s super heavy weight competitors. Mario Becker won the men’s heavyweight division. Mariah Baker and Regina Thompson were women’s divisional champions. In the men’s senior point sparring Anthony Mosley won middle weight point, Ronald George was first in heavy weight and Ralph Urias took the championship in senior super heavy weight. Team Gipsy won both the boys and men’s team sparring divisions.
Chad Cannon fought it out with the men’s point sparring divisional champions and ended up on top for the point sparring grand championship. Mariah Baker tried her shot at Regina Thompson but is was Regina’s superior ring savvy that was to give her the women’s grand championship. Jose Lara won the junior forms grand championship and this concluded this years Louisiana Pro-Am.
