The 36th ANNUAL UNIVERSAL KARATE ARTS CHAMPIONSHIPS was held on March 13, 2010 at the Recreational Park in Lancaster, SC.  As every year this tournament brought in competitors from as far as China, Japan and many states across the U.S.  HANSHI JAMES E. WHITE who is the promoter and instructor at Universal Karate Studios located in Lancaster, SC outdid himself again this year.  Since the death of his brother, O’Sensei Nathaniel White, Jr. each year is dedicated in memory of him.  This year topped the last, Hanshi White presented a one-of-a-kind plaque to his nephew and his brother’s oldest son, Kenneth White, representing all the dedication, hard work, determination and fulfilled dreams of his father.  All competing children twelve years and under were given plaque with a different word (CARING, TRUTH, AND OPPORTUNITY) and sayings inscribed on them.  NIDAN WEAVER THOMAS was promoted to 2nd Degree and YODAN TERESA MCILWAIN was promoted to Professorship and recognized by the National Karate Association.

The Children divisions are always exciting and amazing as to the things these five and six-year olds can do, some divisions had to be expanded to A or B due to the amount of competitors in certain divisions.  Be on the lookout in the future for such young martial artist as: AUSTIN LOVETT, BLAZE CATOE and DEVIN REED as these kids can really fight and they also know their katas.

As the age of the competitor goes up so does the seriousness of their competition.  They become more in tune with their stances, positioning and performance. The seven to eleven year olds are dynamite with their weapons katas as they demonstrate their skill to the judges and other competitors. Watch for some of these martial arts as they develop their skills over the next few years: JAYDEN MOORE, TIANAH MILLER, and DENISHA WATKINS.

Twelve to seventeen year old competitors are fiercer in every way as they compete at a new level of control and discipline.  This is shown through their style of fighting, demonstration of weapons, self-defense and katas.  Competitors such as: JAMES CHAPMAN, HAYLEY NAPIER, CHRIS STUMP, TYREK SHAW and SULLIVAN LANT showed the judges exactly what they had to offer and still excite anyone who watches them in action.

The 18+ and 35+ Men Division was awesome.  The tempo of the fights was more intense and dramatic as martial artist such as: NATHAN BOURKNIGHT, MARK BROOKS, DAVID HAYES, TOMMIE KNIGHT, CLINT MOORE, and MARK LAUGHLIN walked away with 1st place trophies.  The women’s 18+ and 35+ division left no stone unturned as REBECCA CAUTHEN, KAYCE SMITH, JACCELYNN FRANKLIN and DENISE WATKINS showed they are just as good as the men.

As the day wore on the Jr. Black Belts (nine to 17 year olds) continued the excitement that had started earlier in the day.  JOSHUA LOY, NICHOLAS CARPENTER, BENJAMINE WRIGHT and CHELSA GOWER were just a few of those who walked away with 1st place trophies in their division.

The 35+ Black Belts finished off the day with a Tag Team Kumite (introduced for the first time ever at any tournament) which proved to be a little confusing to the competitors but was fun all the same.  Another first was having a father (KENNETH WHITE) and son (CHOPPER WHITE) as Grand Champions.  Also congratulations to HANSHI BELFOUR WRIGHT Grand Champion Black Belt Kata.  Congratulations to JAYDEN MOORE (17 and under) and MARK LAUGHLIN (18+) for the title SHOGUN.

UNIVERSAL MARTIAL ARTS CHAMPIONSHIP tournaments should never be missed as there is always something for everyone and I plan to be there next year.  Be sure to attend all the tournaments and watch these martial artists grow.