Results from the 2008 WKA Canadian Championships, May 16-18

This year we had 8 Pro-Style competitors try out for Team Canada, with all making it to the final Sunday round in at least 1 event. The competition was extremely strong and Alison and Selina did very well (as usual) to qualify for 2 events each.

I couldn't make it, but I heard the Friday night continuous events were all-out battles, with hard punches to the head that would have resulted in warnings at the Ontario tryouts. Imran got a bloody nose as well as a broken toe, forcing him to drop out and skip the point fighting events. Maybe it was for the better, since he would have had to face Luke Dufour (who is now 190 lbs at the age of 14!) in his point fighting division.

Matt did very well in his first Team Canada tryouts, finishing 6th in point fighting. He was 5th after the 1st two rounds and qualified for the 3rd round. He fought well in both rounds, winning his first fight in each before losing the Murray Schumacher by 1 point in overtime in the first round and losing to Domenic Aversa (by a lot of points) in the second round. However, after calculating that he would have to beat Dom on Sunday in order to finish in the top 3 and make the team, he decided he would rather join Tammy at the start of their cruise leaving from Miami on Sunday. Good decision!

Taylor fought very well and went into the final round in 4th. James went into the final round in 6th and needed to win the final round on Sunday to make the team. He started well with a dominating win over Yannick (big muscle guy with long legs who went into the 3rd round in 3rd place) and then led Wayne (from Douvris) 7-4 after a devastating ax kick to the head with ~40 seconds left. Wayne needed some time to recover and when he did, went all out to score 4 points (1 right at the end of the 2 minutes) to win 8-7.

Sorry, I don't have any video from the tournament.

Results:

• Selina - 4th continuous, 2nd kata, 3rd fighting
• Alison - 1st weapons, 2nd kata, 4th fighting
• Jordan - 4th continuous, 5th weapons, competed in kata
• Darien - 4th continuous, 7th weapons, competed in kata, 5th fighting
• Taylor - competed in weapons, top 6 fighting
• Matt - 6th fighting
• James - 6th weapons, 4th musical weapons, top 6 fighting
• Imran - broken toe in continuous, 4th weapons, 4th musical weapons

Highlights from Circle of Friends, May 10

Actually, I don't have any highlights nor video since I didn't go. Imran was our lone representative at Jeff Burroughs annual tournament and he did very well I'm sure :) I'll update the results below shortly.

Preliminary Results:

• Imran - 2nd fighting, ?

Highlights from 2008 L'International Cobra, April 12

I apologize for the long delay in updating the blog, but I have been busy with work. We had an excellent turnout at this year's L'International Cobra, with first time out-of-town tournament competitors Charles and Jessie.

I've also had some problemsburing the video to DVD - the 1st 30 minutes of tape is video of the floor. Diane was recording when she thought the camcorder was turned off and turned it off when she meant to record a kata. Needless to say, the audio (Diane's conversations) is very colourful! When I get some free time, I will burn and distribute the DVD, albeit 2 months after the event.

We had a large contingent compete in the night show grands, with Darien, Alison, Selina, Jordan, and Imran. Imran won his division and took home a new mountain bike. Actually, he didn't take it home - it wouldn't fit in Matt's van so he sold it on the spot.

Unfortunately, James lost the sheet on which he was recording all of our results, so we will have to poll everyone again to confirm their results. Please email me your results at normancw@rogers.com - please remember to do so, since this blog is used to tally the scores for the competitor of the year awards that will be given at the Pro-Style Christmas Party.

Preliminary results:

• Bren - 1st weapons, 1st kata, 2nd sparring
• Jessie - ?
• Charles - ?
• Shivani - 2nd weapons, 3rd kata
• Darien - 1st kata, 2nd weapons, 1st fighting
• Jordan - 1st kata, dropped weapon, out of fighting
• Alison - 1st kata, 3rd weapons, 1st fighting
• Selina - 1st kata, ?
• Saul - ?
• Imran - 1st team form, 1st musical weapons, 1st weapons, ?
• Andy - ?
• Nancy - 3rd fighting, ?
• Heather - 1st fighting, ?
• Jordan D - ?
• Jake - ?
• Matt - ?
• James - 1st team forms, 2 musical weapons, 3rd fighting
• Norm - 2nd weapons, 4th kata, 2nd fighting

Results from 2008 WKA Ontario Tryouts, April 5

Diane put it best when she yelled "Oh Shoot" (at least I think that's what it was), when Matt drew Domenic Aversa for his 2nd fight in the veteran mens lightweight (-75 kg) division. After avenging his loss at the Canadian Open to Al Triplett with a well fought 8-5 win, Matt drew Domenic for his 2nd fight (Domenic is fighting in both the 18-34 and 35+ categories this year).

Unflustered at the prospect of fighting a multiple WKA world champion, Matt was truly outstanding for the first 10-15 seconds of the fight, taking the fight to Dom with 1-0 early lead and holding it for about 5 seconds. Matt kept it close for the next 10 seconds, before Dom got into a groove, going on to an 8-1 win. Matt later lost his 3rd fight to an awkward southpaw (those damn southpaws), but achieved his goal at his first WKA tryouts, finishing 4th and qualifying for the WKA Canadian Championships.

It was also Shivani's first time at the WKA tryouts and she did really well in the under-12 kata division (considering she's only 8). With her work ethic and James' private lessons, she's definitely going to qualify one of these years.

Everyone did very well at the tryouts, with the Ferguson's taking home a large haul (9 in total) of medals, highlighted by Darien winning the under-12 kata division (with 22 competitors) and Taylor getting 4th in a tough weapons division (behind Nicholas Merlin and Imran) and winning his fighting division. At one point, Darien, Taylor, and Jordan were all fighting at the same time, leaving Alison torn between which ring to be at (for the record, she was at Darien's ring).

Selina was her usual self, winning her fights easily before meeting Jordan in the final. Jordan was extremely agressive, beating 2 girls that both outweighed her by quite a bit, before running into what she called a "brickwall" (Selina) in the final. Earlier, in 13-17 kata division, Selina and Jordan both did really well, with Selina finishing 2nd (to Amanda Bentley-de Sousa) and Jordan finishing 7th.

Alison rounded out the Ferguson's haul with a 1st and a couple of 2nd's in weapons, kata, and fighting.

In addition to his usual haul of medals in weapons (2 silvers), Imran fought well to finish 3rd in the 13-17 boys heavywieght division, behind Lorenzo (Steve Anderson) and Luke Dufour (Douvris).

James avenged his loss to Luveth from Douvris at the 2007 Canadian Open to win the mens heavyweight division - earlier he won the mens musical weapons. Sorry James, but the video camera battery died just before your fight - but I can vouch for you that it was an excellent fight.
In spite of not having much time to practice (busy with Yoga teacher training) Dirk qualified for for traditional kata, hardstyle kata, and weapons.

I finished 4th in both weapons and kata, qualifying for both events. I am happy with my results, given the veteran mens division has gotten a lot tougher this year with another new 35 year old competitor, Jeff Liotta. Last year, Jeff won the 18-34 mens weapons gold at the WKA worlds champsionships and was seeded number one the NASKA circuit a couple of years ago.

I am out of town this week (Tuesday-Thursday) and will not have time to post pictures from the video until I return. PS, don't forget, if you're reading this, you should be going to the Cobra tournament this Saturday, April 12 - I'll see you there!

Preliminary Results:

• Darien - 2nd weapons, 1st kata, 1st fighting
• Taylor - 4th weapons , 1st fighting
• Jordan - 2nd weapons, 7th kata, 2nd fighting
• Alison - 1st weapons, 2nd kata, 2nd fighting
• Selina - 2nd kata, 1st fighting
• Imran - 2nd weapons, 2nd musical weapons, 4th kata, 3rd fighting
• James - 3rd weapons, 1st musical weapons, 1st fighting
• Dirk - (?) weapons, 7th kata , (?) traditional kata
• Matt - 4th fighting
• Norm - 4th weapons, 4th kata
• Shivani - competed in weapons, kata

* top eight qualify for the 2008 WKA Canadian Champsionships

2008 L'International Cobra, April 12

Pierre Saulier, head of the Sunfuki karate schools, is hosting the 2008 Cobra tournament on Saturday, April 12, in Deux-Montagnes (just north of Montreal). The Sunfuki schools also host the Laval Open (September) and the Rive-Nord Challenge (January). This tournament is always well run and held at a very nice venue. We will be car-pooling and leaving from the club at 6:30am sharp.

Besides the WKA Ontario and National team tryouts, this is the tournament to attend if you are going to compete this spring.

Although members from Pro-Style will also be competing at the Quebec Open (Quebec City) in late April and Circle of Friends tournament (Hamilton) in May, turnout from our club will be less due to the overnight hotel.

There are age and belt divisions for everyone at this tournament:

All the divisions and ring assignments are listed in the tournament flyer which can be downloaded here http://www.karatesunfuki.com/cobra2008.htm

See James to add you name THIS WEEK to the pre-registration. Also, to save time for James, download, complete, and sign the tournament registration form and waiver. These must be handed it at the door before competing.

Please note, all junior competitors going to the tournament should be accompanied by a parent - otherwise, they will need to make specific arrangements with an attending adult (providing necessary information such as OHIP card number, known allergies, emergency contact numbers, and signed tournament registration form waiver).

Saturday April 12, 2008
L'Olympia de Deux-Montagnes
611 20e avenue, Deux-Montagnes
Registration starts at 9am, divisions start at 10am

Pierre Saulnier, ksunfuki@hotmail.com, 450-623-6291, 450-623-6291 (fax)

Pre-registration (received before April 4): $50 for 1 event, $10 each additional
Registration (9am) at the door: $50 for 1 event, $15 each additional
Adult team fighting: $90 per team
Junior black belt team fighting: $45
Spectators: $10

http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=&saddr=101+Schneider+rd,+Kanata,+On&daddr=611+20E+Avenue,+Deux-Montagnes,+QC&sll=45.45161,-74.816985&sspn=0.841967,2.414246&ie=UTF8&z=9


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Koshiki Tournament Results -- 2008-03-15

Hi,

Here are the results for the Koshiki Tournament my Shorinjiryu Sensei and I attended in Toronto on March 15th.

Results:
Simon Choisnet -- Kata -- Advanced Belts -- 18 and over -- 1st Place
Simon Choisnet -- Koshiki Sparring -- Advanced Belts -- 18 and over -- 5th Place

Darren Hunter -- Kata -- Black Belts -- 18 and over -- 2nd Place
Darren Hunter -- Koshiki Sparring -- Black Belts -- 18 and over -- 3rd Place

Videos:

Simon Choisnet -- Kata -- Advanced Belts	Simon Choisnet -- Koshiki -- 1st fight -- Advanced Belts
Darren Hunter -- Kata -- Black Belts	Darren Hunter -- Koshiki -- 1st fight -- Black Belts
Darren Hunter -- Koshiki -- 2nd fight -- Black Belts	Darren Hunter -- Koshiki -- 3rd fight -- Black Belts

Highlights from Canadian Open, March 14-15

Although the registration fees for the Canadian Open were more expensive than usual, Alison certainly got her money's worth (and actually ended up ahead) by performing three katas on her way to winning the $100 first place prize. After the first 2 rounds, she was tied with Patti Palitti and went on to nail her new kata to win. She made up for an earlier mistake in weapons (which luckily for me, helped me win $100 :). She later went on to win her 2 fights to win another $100.

The night before, Imran and Selina won their continuous divisions handily, dominating their competition. Darien fought well to place 2nd, Pat fought very well in his first fight, and I, well, just fought.

On Saturday, "Downtown" Selina Brown continued where she left off on Friday night to win her fighting division convincingly. Nancy and Heather easily won their fighting divisions. Andy fought with a really bad cold to win his 1st fight and before losing his 2nd. Taylor was really strong in weapons, finishing 2nd. James won his first Elite fight handily getting a 10 point spread, but ran out of gas in his 2nd fight against a really fast short southpaw (no not me ;^) - Marc Monsour.

After missing his underbelt fighting division, Matt won in kata and was robbed of a few points in black belt fighting to lose his 1st fight to the eventual winner, Al from Mike Benarndo's school. I won a close 1st fight against Peter McColgan, won my 2nd easily, and then lost the final in overtime by 1 point to the same guy Matt lost to :(

Next up, the WKA Ontario tryouts!

Preliminary Results

• Pat - competed in continuous
• Imran - 1st continuous, 2nd musical weapons, 3rd weapons
• Darien - 2nd continuous, 4th weapons, 6th kata, 2nd sparring
• Jordan - 5th continuous, 4th weapons, competed in kata, 2nd sparring
• Taylor - 2nd weapons, competed in sparring
• Alison - 1st kata, 1st sparring, 3rd weapons
• Selina - 1st continuous, ? kata, 1st fighting
• Jordan D - 4th weapons, ? kata
• Matt "Mad Dog" - 1st kata, competed in sparring
• James - 3rd weapons, competed in Elite fighting (won 1st , lost 2nd)
• Nancy - 1st sparring
• Heather - 1st sparring
• Andy - ? weapons, won 1st fight, lost 2nd
• Shivani - 2nd kata
• Norm - competed in continous, 1st weapons, 3rd kata, 2nd sparring (and bonus black eye)