The 3rd Annual BLACK WARRIOR MARTIAL ARTS CHAMPIONSHIP was recently held at the Central Cabarrus High School in Concord, NC. This highly efficient 200+ division event was sanctioned by the DOJO, MATT and SKI Sport Karate organizations.

The BLACK WARRIOR MARTIAL ARTS CHAMPIONSHIP is the pride and joy of GRAND MASTER ERNEST DUKES of the DUKES MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMY of Concord. For three consecutive years this tournament has run with incredible efficiency, and it is one I truly enjoy attending.

Security was very tight in order to keep non martial arts people off the competition floor. I found it easier to move around from ring to ring to do my job. They had several vendors in the lobby area to include my editor DR. MICHAEL WILLETT and his ACTION PHOTOGRAPHY booth.  

The tournament cuisine was 2nd to none. Oh sure they had the usual Hot Dogs and Burgers but also featured Southern Bar-B-Q pork, Lasagna and Chicken Strip meals. The food was delicious and reasonably priced.

Special guest for the day was that Super Hero the “BLACK WARRIOR”. The WARRIOR ventured through the spectators signing autographs and posing for pictures and handing out prizes.

The BLACK WARRIOR MARTIAL ARTS CHAMPIONSHIP even provided FREE child care for the little ones. What a wonderful idea, an idea that more Promoters should consider.

Great cash awards were given to all the Grand Championship winners, Black Belt and Under Belt, youth and adult.  Also all children received an award regardless of whether they placed or not.

As usual the best Judges in the Southeast were on hand to ensure Safety and Fairness to all the competitors. Coordinators for the day were JEROME “MAGIC” JOHNSON and WILLIAM REED.

As far as competitors go the talent was pretty good. Several Under Belts really caught my eye to include CAMERON COLLINS of TEAM GOD SQUAD  and MARK “THE CEREBRAL ASSASIN” LAUGHLIN of TEAM LIFE FORCE KARATE. COLLINS is a student of GRAND MASTER DEWEY EARWOOD of Columbia, SC. LAUGHLIN is a student of BILLEE PURVIS also of Columbia, SC. Both competitors featured strong, clean technique, better than a few Black Belts on the circuit.

CHELSA GOWER of TEAM LIFE FORCE KARATE continued her winning ways by easily winning the Jr. Black Belt Kata Grand Championship.

MOHSEN MAHOUD a new competitor to the circuit won the Adult Black Belt Kata Grand Championship. 

JUWAN WHITE went home with the 18-34 Men’s Sparring Grand Championship and veteran JERRY SELLERS went through a tough group of executive fighters to win the 35+ Men’s Sparring Grand Championship.

Congratulations to MARK LAUGHLIN, STEPHANIE COOMBS, NICK BLACKBURN and CAMERON COLLINS for each winning an Under Belt Grand Championship.

Overall I rate this tournament as one of the top 2-3 tournaments in the Southeast and I encourage our readers to consider attending the 4th annual BLACK WARRIOR MARTIAL ARTS in June of 2010. I would like to thank GRAND MASTER DUKES and his lovely wife TINA for inviting me to cover such a wonderful event.