Gastonia, NC                                                                 by R.J. Bishop

The 32nd WINTER/SPRING FESTIVAL OPEN KARATE CHAMPIONSHIPS is certainly a long name for a Martial Arts tournament and one that is not easily forgotten. Promoter SABUMNIM CHARLES BURRIS is one of the most respected Martial Artists here in the Southeast. He is a very nice man, quiet, very humble and dedicated to his students and the Martial Arts and is a man of great faith. I have never heard anyone say anything bad about this man in the 6 years I have lived here in the Southeast.

The WSFOKC is a competitor friendly event, especially popular among the under belt competitors.  The tournament was held at the W.P. Grier Middle School in Gastonia, NC.  I’m not sure about the numbers but I would guess maybe 200-250 competitors and at least that many spectators in the stands. The awards were very nice and somewhat unique, definitely a nice change from the typical trophies you get at other tournaments. The WDFOKC was a DOJO “AAA” rated event, as well as a SKI “BBB” rated event.

Watching the under belts is one of my favorite activities at these tournaments. I have followed the careers of many young competitors and watched their progress over the years. One of the hottest young stars on the circuit right now is 7 year old HALEIGH KANIPE. This blue chip prospect has been training 2 ½ years and is a student of SHIHAN DOUG ARMSTRONG of Hickory, NC. HALEIGH is a blue belt and is loaded with a lot of natural athletic ability.  She is definitely one to watch in the future.

World Champion LAUREN FERGUSON of TEAM FX competed in her 1st tournament of the year and showed no signs of rust. In the adult Black Belt Form Grand Championship  FERGUSON beat a talented group of Black Belts, to include CHRIS URCINOLA, CHASITY ELLIS and JOSH PAGE. All of these competitors really pushed her to the limit, but she won the competition by 2/100 of a point. FERGUSON also beat CHASITY ELLIS to win the Black Belt Ladies Sparring Grand Championship.

Congratulations to BILLEE PURVIS’ TEAM LIFE FORCE for winning  3 Grand Championships that afternoon. STEPHANIE COOMBS won the Jr. Novice Grand Championship while MARK LAUGHLIN won the Adult Under Belt Forms Grand Championship.  CHELSA GOWER won the Jr. Black Belt Forms Grand Championship.

In a really close fight World Champion DANNY ANTOINE defeated JOSH PAGE by the score of 3-2. This was the classic David vs. Goliath battle with the much larger JOSH PAGE battling the shorter but quicker DANNY ANTOINE.  In these kinds of battles I’ll pick speed over size anytime.

In the semi finals of the Executive Men’s Black Belt Sparring Grand Championship World Champion JOEY SHIFLETT avenged an earlier defeat from the last tournament to beat RYAN FRYE 7-5. In the finals SHIFLETT took on his friend and top rival LARRY DILLINGHAM. In 6 years, I have watched these men battle all over the Southeast. All of these fights have been very close  and a joy to watch. Both men have contrasting styles which makes for an interesting match up. SHIFLETT edged DILLINGHAM 4-2 in another barn burner.

Overall I enjoyed myself that day and hope to return next year. If You want to go to a nice, fun, fair event then you should consider attending the  33rd WINTER/SPRING FESTIVAL OPEN KARATE CHAMPIONSHIP in April of 2010.