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N.O.R.M.A.L. Martial Arts Team Open Season at Grandmaster Kenny Miller's Mifflin County Classics.

Fighting Snow and the horse and buggy traffic the N.O.R.M.A.L. team traveled nervously from Raystown Lake to Reedsville to compete in its first tournament of 2010. Grandmaster Kenny Miller’s tournament, Mifflin County Classic, is always a great season opener. Seven competitors patiently waited for the tournament to begin as many of them were competing for the first time. Trista Monroe and Julie Ferguson, being the seasoned competitors, warmed the other students up and tried to squash the competition butterflies. The martial artists wanted to start the year strong as it would set the tone for the remainder of the year.

First up were Orange Belt Maliesha Hughes and White Stripe Hunter Gourley. Having to face each other in the same division was both exciting and nerve racking. Both were relieved to find them selves in the one two spot in forms with Maliesha slightly edging out Hunter. In keeping with traditions forms was off to a good start for Master Holman’s students. Maliesha followed her great forms performance with a first in Kumite and Hunter in his first competition comes up with an exciting second place finish in Kumite.

Malik Hughes was next up! His fighting has been his strong point but Malik has worked extremely hard to improve his form. He found himself in fourth place in an exceptionally large division. Hiding his disappointment was difficult but Trista put his focus back on track for his upcoming fight. Smiles were in store for Malik as he finished first in Kumite.
Matt Smith and Danielle Smith the second brother sister team were strong in their divisions and were anxious to add their winnings to the teams trophy count. Danielle racked up a first in forms and second in sparring. Matt added a second in fighting and a first in forms. Both students were competing in their second tournament and continue to build confidence and experience.

Julie Ferguson taking advantage of her years of competition experience competed in weapons, forms and fighting. Knowing she will soon move into the black belt division she decided to take full advantage of one last year as and under belt. Smiling broadly knowing she flubbed her weapons form she still managed to pull off a fourth place. Redeeming herself for the other students waiting on her finish was definitely in order. Julie managed to pull off a first in forms and fighting. Now her smiles were for all the right reasons.

Bringing up the end of the under belt competition was Trista Monroe. Still taking a ribbing from fellow Martial Artists about her start in the Arts, Trista always seems to rise to the occasion. She also competed in forms weapons and sparring. Seeming to build on the other competitors wins Trista manage to pull off a triple. Win that is. Fist in all three disciplines. Seemingly a great finish to the first event of the year.

As the competitors were celebrating their winnings there seemed to be a buzz in the air. Black belts were stretching out and warming up and while peering around the gym at the usual competitors there was a new excitement within the N.O.R.M.A.L. team. Coach Lisa Scott had disappeared from the gym just long enough to change into her crisp black uniform. Many of the new team competitors had not seen her compete and unbeknownst to them Miss Tracy has persuaded her to do so.

Watching such an accomplished martial artist is always a treat to all those watching but to see such a great female martial artist compete is incredibly exciting. Disappoint she did not – as Lisa was awarded second in forms and first in fighting. The N.O.R.M.A.L. team rallied around her and cheered as she was presented Grand Champion in Kumite.
     As the team finishes up a long exciting day of competition they are already looking ahead to the next tournament. They hope to add a few more competitors to their team and continue to excel in 2010.

Grandmaster John Null captures the Grand Champions again.

Grandmaster John Null Captures Grand Championship at Mifflin Classic!

When one enters Indian Valley Middle School’s gymnasium they see many different things; the crowd, the judges, the referees, and many competitors, all with one thing on common. Martial Arts.
            Grandmaster John Null bows in respect to his opponent, a first degree black belt, and prepares for the sparring match to begin. The two men touch gloves, anticipating the start of the grand championship. Grandmaster Null gets his feet moving and delivers his first technique, a front snap kick to the stomach.
“STOP!” commands the referee. “Judges call…” he said. All four corner judges grant one point to Grandmaster Null.
The two men begin bouncing in unison ready to begin. Grandmaster Nulls’ opponent blocks his reverse punch, and roundhouse kick. He could not stop his spinning back kick though.
            “STOP!” said the referee. “Judges call…” he repeated. Three out of the four judges agree on another point to Grandmaster John Null. One more point and the match would be over.
            “FIGHT!” hollers the ref as his voice echoed throughout the gymnasium. Both of the men knew with one more point, the match was over. Grandmaster Nulls opponent circles around, delivers a punch to his abdomen. He is granted with one point. The score was now 2-1, Grandmaster Null. This could be any mans’ fight. As the tension begins to build up, Grandmaster John Null waits for the perfect moment to attack. His opponent completes a roundhouse kick and a front snap kick, but both were blocked.
            Grandmaster Null picks his moment to score. As soon as his opponent high blocks, he receives a blow right to the ribs; beautifully executed.
            “STOP!” calls the referee. A command the two competitors grew quite familiar to in this match. “Judges call…” and the two men in the ring wait for the outcome. He pats his opponent on the back. The two men briefly exchanged words, and lined up for the results. Grandmaster John Null earns the title of Grand Champion in sparring at the 2010 Mifflin County Classic. He gracefully bows to all of the judges, takes his 6 foot trophy, and humbly walks out of the ring with yet another victory!