News

National Champions to be Declared!

December 18, 2007

National Champions to be declared for 2007 shortly.  Last date to turn in points for the the 2007 season is January 1, 2008.  Remember, the web submission form is easy to use, and is never closed.

Have a Happy Holiday!

AKA Southern Region Promoters

AKA ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIPS - Parents and Family Members Join Too!

I know, many of you are not “Martial Artists” (though many of you can walk most anyone through a front kick and likely have your child’s latest form memorized). Of course, my advice to you would be to start taking classes now and share the experience with your child! However, I of course recognize that many for one reason or another do not choose this path, and therefore since you are not martial artists you cannot officially join the AKA. Right? WRONG! You see the AKA recognizes that parents and guardians are some of the most important people involved in our organization! If it wasn’t for our parents dedication in taking their children to martial arts class, there would literally be no children participating, and without children practicing martial arts the future of martial arts would certainly be bleak. For this reason among many others, parents are considered to be one of the AKA’s most valued resources. For this reason, the AKA offers an Associate Member package for just $10.00 a year, where non-martial artists can join and officially become members of our AKA family.
A membership has many rewards, but one that is most readily recognized is that Associate Members receive a $3.00 dollar discount off of admission to AKA events such as AKA tournaments and $5.00 off of the year end banquet. For many of our parents, grandparents and other family members this benefit alone results in a $35.00 savings at the end of the year, substantially more than the price of the Associate Membership! This is just one way we want to thank our members!
I won’t twist your arm or anything, and most of you are already a part of our family, so why don’t you make it official and join! For more information contact linda5225@cox-internet.com.
 

Natural State Classic 2007

September 29th, 2007

The Natural State Classic 2007 was a great success with competitors coming from as far away as Florida and Chicago to compete in Jacksonville, Arkansas. Co-Promoter Keith Bly had this to say, “The support we received this year was phenomenal. The schools participating and the competitors made this year’s event the most successful Natural State Classic yet.”
There were plenty of great individual efforts on the day in events ranging from Elite Grappling, Karate Flag, to some awesome teamwork in team competition. Team Flashkick out of Joey Perry’s Martial Arts dazzled the crowd with an award winning performance.
The 18-34 year old Black Belt Division, is where the day’s excitement and drama took place, with Matt (“broken leg”) Butcher stepping up in traditional forms and overcoming the odds by winning both traditional forms and overall traditional grand champion, retaking the top spot in the traditional forms race from Patrick Crouch in the chase for the 2007 national title. Speaking of chase, Mack Chase came down from the Northern Region to act as spoiler in both traditional weapons and sparring, upsetting both Patrick Crouch in traditional weapons and Jermaine Smith in light weight sparring. The dominant Chase would go on to win overall Grand Champion in sparring this year. What a way to put an exclamation point on a great performance.
 

Northwest Arkansas Open 2007

September 8th, 2007

September 8th, 2007 saw the second annual Northwest Arkansas Open hosted by Butcher’s Martial Arts in beautiful Springdale Arkansas. The event was a huge success and the level of competition was extremely intense.

In black belt competition, Patrick Crouch would put forth a powerful performance in traditional forms which resulted in him taking a slim lead for the national title in the 18-34 Black Belt Open Forms Division.

The day also contained its upsets as 4 time National traditional Weapons champion Jamie Yowell fell to Sensei Charles Wilson from Groves Karate Studios in the 35 and up traditional weapons category. Jamie had this to say, “Sensei Charles beat me. His hard work shows. I’ll have to follow his example, work harder and do better next time. “

Finally, the Grand Champion in Black Belt sparring went to the “old guys” as Sensei Keith Bly would step up and show that experience still trumps youthful athleticism.
 

Congratulations

to

Team SIDESWIPE

You guys made all of us proud by your performance on America's Got Talent!

Congratulations Competitors

of the Inferno Supershow!

held June 16, 2007

All of our AKA competitors did extremely well, and our non-AKA guest competitors had a great outing as well.  The event was fun, and all those in attendance were treated to an exhibition of Mixed Martial Arts Cage fights.  The AKA would like to thank Mr. Sparks  and Inferno Martial Arts for hosting such a quality event, and especially everyone who attended and supported the event!

--Jamie Yowell and the AKA Southern Region Promoters

What is Karate-Flag and Why Do We Have It?

By Jim Yowell Sr., Black Belt Tang Soo Do

 April 30, 2007 - Karate-Flag is an event in which two opponents are pitted against each other in a contest of balances, hand eye coordination and strategy.  Each has six flags attached to their belts.  The object of this event is to pull your opponents six flags off before they can pull your’s off.  Who ever pulls their opponents six flags off first or has the most flags remaining at the end of the two minute round is the winner.

Why do we have it?  Because it’s fun!  But that is only a part of the answer.  This event allows the younger marital artist a chance to compete in something that requires the skills needed in sparring without the physical contact of being hit or kicked.  Most three to six year olds don’t have the physical coordination needed for sparring and are naturally afraid of being hit or kicked.  Karate flag allows them to compete and develop their balance, hand eye coordination, and even blocking skills.

This event has been so successful that an additional age group for seven and eight year olds has been added.  This was at the request of both parent and kids, because it is fun.  There have been tournaments where Karate-Flag was the number one event, with over thirty competitors.

I personally think that Karate–Flag is a great event and ask to judge this event as often as possible.  I love watching these young martial artists show off their stuff in a way that is both safe and exciting for their ages.  Parents are also something I like about this event.  They cheer for everyone, not just their own child.  The parents are the key to making the participant leave the square ring feeling they are winners.  Thanks to all you parents that cheer and support these great guys and gals.

New Poll in Forum

April 19, 2007 - Visit the Forum and Register and Participate in the Division Poll for 2008.  It asks whether or not we should move away from the current adult age breakdown and move towards a breakdown following 18-29, 30-39, 40-49 and 50 & up.  The Poll is a non-binding vote, but it will help the promoters to know the competitors feelings when it is time to discuss next years divisions.

So register, and vote!!!!!

Also, the forum is a great place to talk to other members and to express yourself or even start your own user polls.

April 17, 2007 - Southern Region points are currently up to date with what has been received thus far.  Points will be checked against the official results from the events.  The official results supersede points reported by competitors.  Please check the points carefully, if you see an error report it to james@yowellkarate.com .  More news to come soon!