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GOLDBAR KARATE CHAMPIONSHIP 2004
Story and photos courtesy Roy Redfoot

Team DoJo

Doraville, Georgia was the host of the 2004 Goldbar Karate Championship, promoted by Mr. Marcel Lazenby. The tournament had over 100 divisions, including a handicapped division, and was open to all martial arts styles. Special guest advisors included Mr. Young Won, Ms. Rhonda Alexander, and Mr. Sterling Moore, Mr. Tony Young, Mr. Roger Chatman, Mr. Ralph Cater and Mr. Dwight McKnight, all well known martial artist and instructors. This tournament was ASKL, IKC and RRKC rated. Organizers, recognizing the need for fairness in both reality and perception had five (5) judges in all Black Belt events, including the point fighting.

Following the singing of the National Anthem, the tournament started with a demonstration put on by Team DoJo. Featuring Crissy Concepcion, Team DoJo, from Atlanta, put on a spectacular demonstration of synchronized weapons and forms that really got the crowd excited going into the first event, weapons katas. 

The weapons completion was mixed male and female in all the age divisions and allowed either traditional or open katas.  The crowd was not disappointed by the traditional competitors going against some dramatic open forms.

Nikki Provost and Ryan Redfoot

All belts and all ages started at the same time. The weapons divisions were closely followed by forms and point sparring. There was a fantastic field of competitors all the way around. 

In the Youth All around Grand Championships, Jake Strickland and Tone Mayer preformed weapons routines while Zack Willets, Ryan Redfoot and Parker Bachman were the forms winners.  Ryan Redfoot won the Black Belt Grand Championship with his traditional form. The youth under belt Grand championship was won by James Cranford. 

The adult men’s Grand Championship included Valentino King, Donavan Hernandez, Terry Hanner, Zack Ross, Patrick Stevens and Ricky Murry.  Ricky Murray won out in the end after some strong performances by all the competitors.  

Chantal Curry and Marcel Lazenby

In the woman’s best over all Grand championships it was Chantal Curry’s open form that put her ahead of the group and edged out Julie Rimes for the win.  Chantal Curry also won the woman’s point fighting while Ricky Moore won for the men’s event.  Congratulations to all those that participated and the winners of the different divisions. We all had a great time and look forward to next years tournament.