ISKA UK at the US Open
Florida, Orlando, Disney World was the stage for the world’s biggest and baddest World Championships, yes the ISKA World Martial Arts Championships! The weekend itself presented an experience unique within Martial Arts. The location itself was in the heart of Disney World and set the stage for fun and a magical weekend of thrilling competitions and activities for everyone.
The US Open brought together the worlds very best competitors, teams, coaches, spectators and of course fighters from all over the globe for a weekend of inspiring performances, which were memorable for me and everyone else who attended.
They say Manchester United is the theatre of dreams, believe me when I say this, this world Championships had 53 areas, yes 53 all running at the same time in all disciplines from musical forms, creative forms, traditional forms and weapons forms!
With the speed and elusiveness of points and continuous points fighting: from the awesome synchronicity of demonstration teams and synchronised forms, to the strength and endurance of sports Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and NAGA grappling also there was self-defence competition to the raw power and timing of creative and power breaking. Yes all under one roof. This was the theatre of dreams, at the world’s biggest and most prestigious Martial Arts arena.
With over 700 divisions, 3500 competitors, 5,000 spectators, 45 countries and 6 continents taking part. This is a competition I should have gone to many years ago within my fighting career. How it escaped me until now still amazes me.
The ISKA UK team took five fighters out there along with the support of 5 spectators, coaches, myself and Jay Morrison who has been out there many times before and knew what to expect.
Zara Gatley who is 16 years of age was the first fighter up for ISKA UK. The Bolton Wanderer went on a mission in the girls 16-17 years beginners. She fought out of her skin, it was obvious Zara wanted this title badly. She met an equally hungry USA fighter in the finals named Stacy Daniels. Zara quickly took the fight and beat her 10-8 in a close final fight. Soon after that victory Zara stepped up to the girls 16-17 years intermediates -50kg and to her surprise also fought and won the fight in the final to secure a double victory at her first ever world championship.
Stuart Wade from Doncaster, East West MMA, took to the mat in the men’s +90kg light contact, fighting his USA opponent. Stuart could not get in a rhythm. I think the jet lag had caught up with him as he said his leg could not get going at all, but to me he put up a good hard performance.
Leasha Morrison from Bolton was up next. Ready to do battle she fought and beat her Puerto Rican opponent in the first round. Next round she faced an American opponent this fight was a game of chess. Both fighters looking for ways to score on each other without making a mistake. This fight went all the way but it was the American fighter who edged the score by one point winning 6-5 points, Leasha took a creditable third place.
Next up was Lewis Morrison the Bolton blockbuster who was on his game. Knowing his first fight was with the World WKC/WAKA World Champion Robbie Lavell from Canada, fierce techniques going in at one point Morrison hit Lavell with a leading hand jab only to be told no score. We don’t score jabs to the body in NASKA rule. He followed up with a jumping turning kick to the body which was also no score, for some time we felt as if we had to beat the referee and the fighter to win this contest. In the end a great fight which resulted in Robbie Lavell taking the honours, this fight should have been the final which Robbie went on to win.
Stuart Wade was back up again this time in the men’s’ Korean forms. He was up against the crème de la crème in Korean forms only to just miss out on third place by one point. A very good display by Stuart though. The last fighter up representing ISKA UK was the Liverpudlian warrior Kieran Perryman. Fighting out of the Morrison camp in Bolton, Kieran fought in men’s beginners’ U69kg. He could not put a foot wrong listening to good advice from Coach Jay. He took out 3 opponents to go into the finals where he lost by one point. A well deserved second place and a happy young man in his first ever major international event.
All in total ISKA UK took home 2 gold’s, 1 silver and 1 bronze which is a brilliant result for such a small team.The competition came to a close at 5.30 pm only to see the greatest show of Martial Arts.The US Open ISKA night of champions, started at 6.30 prompt.
With live coverage going out to 70 million households in the United States we took our place at stage side for our special VIP treatment from ISKA President Mr Cory Schaffer for his premier performance and dream match ups that took place on centre stage.
I saw with my own eyes a global audience, a vision of martial arts, prowess and performance that may never be matched again. At one time showcase of the most incredible talent ever assembled on a single stage in one night.
To see 5 x ISKA World Champion Kalman Csoks performing not with one but two swords and in the middle of his forms treating them like 80 staff was unbelievable to watch. Matthew Emig flipping’ around on stage like it was for fun landing perfect, also on stage was a master show piece from team 100 Percent, performing a synchronised form which took your breath away and to finish it all off the John Paul Mitchel team who was just on another level.
I could talk about this world championship for many years to come. Sitting and mixing with stars such as Don the Dragon Wilson, Mike Chat, Christine Bannon Rodreguez. I even had time to go up on stage to my surprise when ISKA World President Mr Cory Schaffer presented me with a plaque for my support to the US open and work within ISKA UK.
Next years US Open will be 13-16 July 2012. I really hope some of you can make it as it is a real eye opener.
Please Email me
15 July 2011
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