Greensboro, NC                                                                       TOURNAMENT PHOTOS                                                                                 By R.J. Bishop

It is hard to believe that the SOUTHERN CLASSIC is in only its 9th year of existence. RON & SHARON FERGUSON host one of the Southeast’s favorite events. The tournament moved to a “NEW” location for 2009, the WYNDHAM GARDEN HOTEL in Greensboro, NC.
The FERGUSONS have one of the NBL’S top Sport Karate Schools (FERGUSON’S EXTREME MARTIAL ARTS) and Competition Teams (TEAM FX). Over the years the Fergusons have trained a lot of NBL World Champions. As far as tournaments go, they certainly know what they are doing.

The SOUTHERN CLASSIC is an NBL BLUERIDGE CONFERENCE tournament worth 14 pts for the winners. It is also sanctioned  “AAA” by the DOJO Organization and “AAA by SKI. SKITA rules were in effect for that weekend.

Great awards and cash went to both the Under Belt Grand Champions and the Black Belt Grand Champions.

                                            FRIDAY NIGHT

Musical divisions as well as Breaking and Continuous Fighting were on the schedule for that evening. One special division I would like to comment about is the PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED division. I met an amazing man that night named ANGELO SCIULLI, who suffers from ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). There is no cure for ALS and it is a fatal disease. SCIULLI is a Black Belt under both JEROME “MAGIC” JOHNSON and RICKY TAYLOR and has been stricken with the disease for about 2 years. He is Wheel Chair bound, but that will not stop him from doing some of the things he loves best, Nature Photography and the Martial Arts. He competes in tournaments because he want to make people aware of ALS and has become somewhat of an advocate for the disease. He was recognized that night by the FERGUSONS, BRIAN PENA, “MAGIC” JOHNSON and RICKY TAYLOR for his great courage. BRIAN PENA  told SCIULLI’S story to the competitors and spectators prior to the start of his form. Half the place was in tears as they watched SCIULLI struggle through his Form, and gave him a standing ovation after he completed it. That kind of set the mood for the rest of the evening.

 The best Continuous Fighting match up of the evening was between TEAM FX’S LINDSEY WALKER  and HANNAH WALKER (no relation) of GA. Both are brown belts and when they go at it everyone stops to watch. It is like watching two starving alley cats fighting over a mouse. I’m sure they were both sore the next day after that fight.

Although there were only two Black Belt Breakers competing they were two excellent competitors. NBL World Breaking Champion MIKE CUNNINGHAM of TEAM MVKC took on his team mate REV. PHIL ADDISON in an exciting breaking competition. ADDISON had some tough interesting breaks, but CUNNINGHAM’S breaks were just a little bit more impressive, especially the 4 board break with his forehead. CUNNINGHAM went back to Hickory, NC as the winner. The divisions ran smoothly and we were out of there in time to have a nice dinner.

                                            SATURDAY

The Saturday eliminations started at 9:00 am sharp. I saw a lot of new faces that day. One group drove down from Buffalo, NY for this key NBL tournament. Several of the region’s top teams made the trip to Greensboro, but none were as dominant that weekend as TEAM FX, the hosts.

One competitor that really impressed me was ADEN HASANAJ of TEAM FX. This 11 year old is so incredibly talented and quick that he impressed many people that day. HASANAJ’S technique is very clean considering the speed at which he goes. This young man has been training since 2006 and holds the rank of Red Belt.

NBL World Champion LAUREN FERGUSON of TEAM FX had a wonderful weekend, winning $250.00. She managed to win the Women’s Black Belt Sparring Grand Championship and the Adult Black Belt Contemporary Forms Grand Championship.

Ageless JOHNNY WATKINS, another NBL World Champion, won a tie breaker against JOSH PAGE to win the Adult Black Belt Traditional Forms Grand Championship.

MICHELLE RIDDLE survived 3 tie breakers to win the Jr. Black Belt Traditional Forms Grand Championship. CHELSA GOWER of Columbia, SC took RIDDLE to the limit but it appears she ran out of gas. I’m sure RIDDLE was tired too but her Saiochin Kata  made all the difference.

The tournament ran smoothly all weekend and that makes this reporter very happy. I would like to thank RON & SHARON FERGUSON for inviting me up to cover this event. I look forward to their 10th anniversary in 2010.