The AAU Taekwondo association held its National & Junior Olympic Qualifying tournament at the Police Athletic League Saturday February 16,2008.

For anyone who is not familiar with the Amateur Athletic Union it is an organization that offers thirty plus sports including the Taekwondo program to all ages and abilities. AAU members participate in local, state, regional, and national tournaments. The tournaments consist of Forms, Point Sparring, and Olympic- style scoring. AAU Taekwondo competition includes the Youth and Adult National Taekwondo Championship during the July 4th weekend and the AAU Junior Olympic Games which is the largest national multi-sport event conducted for the youth in the United States. The inaugural games were hosted in 1968 at Washington D.C with 523 athletes. Since then, the popularity of the game has grown to 12,000 athletes representing all 50 states.

Fighters Measure Each Other Up

Saturday’s event had a lot of good matches. Jermaine James came out on top in the 18-34 Black Belts Bantan Sparring. Brian Feller of Fellers Taekwondo came in second and Dana Willoughby of Peak performance Miami came in third. Five year old Alessandra Matarazzo from Team Florida took the Gold in sparring and Silver in forms. Se’ke’ Godo of Chung’s Mudo won the Mens Heavy Weight Black Belt division. Finally who could forget Alexis Martinez from Peak Performance team Miami. Alexis showed incredible speed and athleticism to take home the gold.

Red Just Misses the Head Kick

This was the first time I attended an Olympic-style scoring tournament. The scoring system adds to the excitement of the matches. For those who are not familiar with the scoring there are three scoring officials who are placed in the corner of mat. The officials hold two joysticks in there hand one being red and one blue. The competitors wear blue and red padding. Whenever a competitor makes a potential point the officials press on the joy stick that the scoring competitor’s color is. In order for an official point to be scored two out of the three officials must press the joystick within a matter of seconds. A monitor displays the score and how much time is left in the match.

Move Around and Keep Those Hands Up

My compliments to AAU organizer Master Gerardo Dejesus. It was one of the most organized tournaments that I have been to. What I liked most about the tournament was that the black belts competed first. Usually in most tournaments if not all the black belts are the last to compete. By the time the black belts are up most of the crowd have left the venue. In this tournament the crowd was pumped up watching the masters show there stuff. I believe this is better. Not only does this give the black belts the respect that they deserve but, it also gives a chance for the students to see their teachers in action. You could see that the lower belts were psyched to compete after the black belts. I know I was.

For more information on AAU Taekwondo contact
Master Gerardo DeJesus from DeJesus TaeKwondo Home of Team Olympic at 7938 Pines Blvd Pembroke Pines, Fl 33024. (954) 964-7676 or www.aautaekwondo.org .

I had the opportunity to go to my first Warriors Collide match on Saturday, December 8, 2007 at the War Memorial Auditorium in Sunrise, FL. I must say it was quite an event. The excitement started right off the bat with Ian Hewitt overpowering Kassrie Caselles and getting the win by unanimous decision. Nicole d’Aiguillion was at the top of her game as she won her match against Jen Goodall. Nicole had the advantage the entire match as she pressed the action and connected with her devastating kicks. Jen had no answer to Nicole’s attack. The referee was forced to stop the match in round two giving Nicole the win by TKO.

Alberto Rojas improved his record to 7-10 due to an illegal throw from Jacen Baker. It’s a shame that this match was stopped due to Alberto getting hurt. If not for the stoppage it would have been one of the best fights in the card.

Sam McCoy vs. Hoffa Santos

Mike Ozuna of US1 Fitness Center received his second victory as he got the decision over Elain Bano. This was an exciting fight as the two men left everything they had in the ring. Trisha Cicero won in her debut by unanimous decision, giving Tara Moore her first loss.

All the matches were good. It would really be hard to pick out the best match. All the Warriors gave it their all. The crowd was excited and energetic. The Warriors fed upon the crowd’s positive energy and in return they gave the crowd a show to remember.

If you haven’t gone to a Warriors Collide event I only have one word for you. GO!!! It’s very well organized and it’s a great atmosphere. I guarantee that you will become a fan. I know I am!

Mike Ozuna and Elian Bano brawl

Other Results

• Al Brown (wins) vs Mike Davis

TKO

• Joe Ray (wins) vs Marcelo Dutra

TKO

• Stephanie Walking (wins) vs Kara Reeder

Unanimous Decision

• Dennis Hernandez (wins) vs Vlad Levenfeld

Unanimous Decision

• Sam McCoy (wins) vs Hoffa Santos (Grappling Division)

• Frank Pacella (wins) vs Sean Ireland

Unanimous Decision

Ian Hewitt Wins by Decision

Nicole ‘The Knockout’ d’Aigullion by TKO

Allan Y’vanes overpowers Chris Decarro

Cindy, Sabrina and Heather

The annual American Bushido open was held November 10^th, 2007 at St. David Church in Davie, FL. Spectators were treated to point fighting, kata’s, musical kata’s and board breaking.

Among the winners of the tournament seven year old Taylor Zascavage of the USA Goju (Pompano) came in first in Kata, first in weapons (bow) and second in point sparring. Calla Frank from USA Goju (Plantation) showed impressive skills in point sparring to come out on top of her division.

Taylor Zascavage of USA Goju

James Ewing of Pompano High got the trifecta as he won first in weapons, second in musical Kata, third in point sparring. I’d like to note that seventeen year old James competed in the mens division in weapons kata for the win.

My hats off to sixty year old Micheal Watkins for participating in the Sr. division. Mitch Kramer showed an incredible display of kicks to take home the trophy for the men advance point sparring.

Isaac Granados

Calla Frank of USA Goju

James Ewing of Pompano High

Musical Kata

Michael Watkins (2nd from right) gets hit Trophies

And the Winner is??????

The North American Grappling Association held another jammed packed tournament Saturday, October 20^th at the Dr. Krop High School in Miami. All competitors were treated to two Super Fights. The first Super Fight started at 10:00am featured Vagner Rocha vs Enrique Coco. This match went the distance, but Rocha was able to outscore Coco in points giving him the victory. The second Super Fight which was held at 1:00pm featured Renato “Babalu” Sobral vs Carmello Morrero. This match had the same result as the first one. Going the distance Babalu was able to top Morrero in points for the victory. The winners of the Super Fights as well as the expert divisions were given UFC type belts which were very snazzy. All other divisions were given fancy swords.

Christopher Clark Wins at NAGA

Among the winners of the tournament, Christopher Clark won in the kids beginners division. In the teens heavyweight advance Gi, Matt Kirby came out on top. Armando Herrera continued his winning streak in the teens advance Gi /No Gi. Jessica Aguilar had a good day as she came out on top in the Expert Gi women division. She also won a belt in the Expert/Super Fight. Let’s not forget the extraordinary Sarah Neyra who won in the teens advanced GI/No Gi. Naga officials offered Sarah an opportunity to compete in the Women division. Like a true warrior, Sarah accepted and took first place in the Women Advance flyweight with Gi, and came in second in no Gi. As she was preparing for the match I asked her father, Mr. Neyra, how proud he was of Sarah.

Sarah Neyra Takes the Sword

He said “Honestly I’m a little nervous. I didn’t know Sarah was competing in the women division. I looked at her competitors and saw how much older they looked. I told my wife how strange that was and that’s when she told me Sarah was competing with the women”.

Jessica Aguilar Wins

Sarah was not the only Neyra to come out on top at the tournament. Her thirteen year old brother Daniel was the winner of the Boys Kids Advance Gi/No Gi. Feel free to view all the results of the tournament at Naga’s official website www.nagafighter.com

Armando Wins Again

Overall, it was a good tournament. Every time Naga comes to town there is an increase in competitors and spectators. As I left at 9:00 there were still on going matches. Naga officials had the weigh-ins a day before the tournament to help it run smoothly. Kipp Kollar, President of Naga announced that they would be returning in March to West Palm Beach. It will be a bigger venue which means more matches can take place at one time.