9th Annual Friendship Karate Tournament

Submitted by Reporter Mark Huard

Written by Maine Reporter Gelson Miranda

 

           The 9th Annual Friendship Tournament was held on Saturday, June 18th. It was  at the spacious USM Costello Sports Complex. The day started with the singing of the National Anthem by Sempai Lisa Mello of Team Aika. A  Hula rendition by Lecia Simer ( Grandmaster Allan Viernes younger Sister) followed. The Best Supporting School Award went to Team Aika just edging out last year winner's Huard's Sport Karate Team. 

This year Tournament saw 450 competitor's and close to a 1,000 spectator's  come through the door's of the Costello Sports Complex! All Division's were charted, thanks to help of Shihan Wayne Mello. Many positive comments were received stating that the Parents love the ease of knowing which Ring their kids would be competing in! Also thank -you to Denise Rouleau and Deborah Holley always for making our event run as smooth as possible! 

A special thank-you goes out to Asian World of Martial Arts for traveling all the way from Philadelphia, Penn. and putting up a very professional display of Martial Arts products. The furthest Team came from Michigan, Onopa's Institute of Tae Kwon Do. 

           Team fighting began at 10:00 with Rouleau Holley’s Karate Team and Team Hawaiian Punch battling it out for first place. Chris Wilder, Justin Morrissette, Michael Traverse, Tesa Caralliere, Deana Caralliere and Mike Buzby of team Holleys pulled out the narrow 23-20 win.

 

Flag Sparring came next for the 9 and under future Black Belts to compete and have a little fun before the main events started. In the 4-6 year old division Cole Dorman of Goddins Tae Kwon Do finished first with an outstanding show of speed and agility, and in the 7-8 year old girls division Zoe Gleason of Karate Do finished in first place.

 

The weapons divisions came next with some of the fiercest competitions taking place in the 7-8 year old boys. 7 year old Ben Blaisdell of Club Naha, spun and struck his way to a first place win in the boys division. In the 16-17 year old division Luke Salvato of Huards Sport Karate held the ring in awe with his bo kata, and eventually taking home the 17 and under Weapons Grand Championship.

 

In the 10-11 year old girls division, Amanda Cordone of Team Aika dazzled the judges with her kata and took home the first place trophy. Amanda then competed in the 17 and under Kata Grand Championships came out on top with and outstanding performance winning her first Grand Championship in her 5 + years of training.

 

Jerica Reny

 

The black belt divisions were fast and furious and in the 13-15 year old boys fighting division James Connely showed that this was his day by defeating his opponent and taking home the win.

 

The highlight of the day was watching Master Brent Crisci perform Moso Shinden Ryu and Mae Goshi during the short periods between divisions. Outstanding to watch.

 

Luke Salvato

 

Allen and Jennifer Viernes are outstanding people. They are dedicated to the art and more importantly to the children of our future and the future of the sport. I personally have seen Master Viernes at virtually every tournament within the state of Maine and can honestly say that he is a man of integrity, honor, and values and teaches not only his students but I have seen him take the time in the ring with the little dragons of other schools and help them along the path, for that I thank you.

And I would like to thank all of our Ring  Sponsor's:                                                                                      

        Time Warner Digital Phone                    

         Asian World of Martial Arts

         Sunny Breeze Board Sports

         Foto Shots

         Dana Warp Mill LLC.

         Elm Street Dry Cleaner's

        Jukado Summer Karate Camps

         Rookies

         Full Court Press

One of our Rings was dedicated to all  of the member's of the Armed Forces! Here is a listing of the Grand Champions:

Flag Sparring :  Ian Smith

                     Colored Belts

17 &under Co-ed Forms - Amanda Cordone

18 &up Co-ed Forms - Farruh Nunuzov

17 &under Co-ed Weapon's - Luke Salvato

18 &up Co-ed Weapon's - Jim Quirke

                     Black Belts

17 &under Co-ed Weapon's - Matt Nash

18 &up Co-ed Weapon's - Wayne Carter

17 & under Co-ed Form's - Matt Nash

18 & up Co-ed Form's - Wayne Carter

12 & under Boy's Kumite - None

12 & under Girl's Kumite - Natalie Norton

13 - 17 Boy's Kumite - Jake Danielle

13 - 17 Girl's Kumite - Mallory Mulligan

18 & up Men Kumite - Tim Merriman

18 & up Women Kumite - Annie Gosselin

 

Also the results of Team Fighting:

  1st - Rouleau/Holley Karate Team

  2nd - Hawaiian Punch

  3rd - Budd Light's

  4th - Team Lighting

The After Tournament Party was held at the Sheraton South Portland. About 150 people attended the party and danced to Music provided by DJ( Sensei Andy Campbell of Dragon's Fire Martial Arts).

Please mark your Calendar's, Next Year will be our 10th Annual on June 17th. Grandmaster Allan promises this to be an Event filled with Surprises and Fun!