2011 Victoria’s Best

2011 Victoria's Best

Dawn Kabela once again produced this August 6th 2011 NBL and SKIL rated martial arts tournament. The Victoria Community Center Dome was the venue for this year’s event. Support from several large karate schools and a number of top competitors made this one of the biggest Victoria’s Best tournaments so far. Over six hundred competitors and spectators crammed the dome room of the community center. This was the last NBL cowboy conference event of the year and an opportunity for seeding at the 2011 Supergrands. Both National Black belt League and Sport Karate International League points were at stake.

A 10 AM start allowed ample time for an early conclusion to this event. Also a prominent staff of pro officials including arbitrator Grand Master Daryl Stewart ran this event with surprising swiftness. Many Louisiana and Texas champions traveled far to test their skill at this prestigious event. Dawn Kabela did everything possible to accommodate both competitors and judges with her Texas hospitality. Fair and impartial officiating added to the level of opportunity for and a chance to win.

2011 Victoria's Best

Starting off in search of new found fame was a hoard of hungry junior competitors with a taste for creative genius. Junior black belt contemporary forms champions were Sean Henderson 9 and under creative forms, 11 under hard creative musical forms and 11 under creative weapons, Ronny Zapata – 10 to 11 contemporary forms, 11 and under Japanese/Okinawan forms and 11 under traditional weapons. Rein Garza was first in 12 to 14 creative forms, 12 to 14 Japanese/Okinawan forms, 12 to 14 Korean forms, 12 to 14 boys weapons and 12 to 14 boys middle weight point spatting.

In other junior divisions there were some new people making there mark. Douglas Cyril won 15 to 17 hard creative forms. Other junior champions were Nicholas Parker 15 to 17 Korean forms, Rachel Aquino girls 11 under creative forms, Girls choreographed musical forms, 11 under Korean forms, junior kenpo/Kajakenbo forms and 11 under girls light weight point sparring. Sean Anderson took home the 11 under hard choreographed musical forms.

2011 Victoria's Best

Continuing with the junior forms and weapons we saw Javier Leal win 12 to 17 hard choreographed musical weapons, Katlynn Balli first in 12 to 14 hard creative musical weapons, Zachary Johnson Junior open musical weapons. AOK champion David Tate won the 12 to 14 black belt weapons. 15 to 17 years old black belt boy’s creative weapons champion was Sean McCurtain.

Other champions in black belt junior point sparring were Sean Nguyen 11 under light weight, Maritza Gaeta girls middle weight, Anthony Corona boys 11 under heavy weight, John Garcia boys 12 to 14 light weight, CJ Haywood – boys 12 to 14 heavyweight, Nichilas Parker – boys 15 to 17 middle weight, Sophia Romero – girls 12 to 14 feather and Aliyah Cyril who won the girls 12 to 14 light weight point sparring.

Junior continuous sparring champions were Evan Brown – 11 under fly weight, Zion Walker – 11 under light weight, Maritza Gaeta – 11 under heavy weight. Boys 12 to 14 continuous champions were Anthony Corona – light weight and John Garcia – heavy weight. Girls 12 to 14 continuous sparring champions were Brittany Woodel – feather weight and Delynne Moore – light weight. The girls 15 to 17 years old champion was Andrea Heplen.

2011 Victoria's Best

Adult Continuous sparring champions were Ashlon Smith – men’s feather weight, Carl Flores – men’s light weight, Ryan George – men’s light middle weight, Ski-Yaun Ware – men’s middle weight, Cristo Flores – men’s light heavy weight and Matt Cordon – men’s super-heavy weight.

Adult point sparring competition heated with fierce competition. Most of the best NBL Cowboy conference champions were up. The 1st place men’s black belt champions were Andy Brett – Feather weight, Carl Flores – light weight, Ryan George – middle weight, Cristo Flores – heavy weight and Garett Lee – super heavy weight. Women 1st place champions were Moriah Chatman – light weight and Deja Thomas middle weight.

Senior men’s black belt point sparring champions were Luis Jimenez – light weight, Derrick Wilson – middle weight, Ronald George – heavy weight and Tracy Snowden – super heavy weight. The really old guys in the 45 plus men’s black belt senior division 1st place champions were Johnnie Murphy – light weight and Ronald George – heavy weight.

2011 Victoria's Best

The team sparring championships was totally dominated by Team Kickstart as they took home the boy’s, Girl’s, men’s and adult mixed division 1st place championships. The forms grand champions were Rachel Aquino – junior contemporary, Reign Garza – Junior traditional, David Johnson – adult traditional and lastly the amazing Moriah Chatman in the adult traditional division. Ryan George won the men’s point sparring grand championship and his dad Ronald George took home the senior men’s point sparring grand. Moriah Chatman was having a phenomenal day as she finished the tournament with the women’s point sparring grand championship.

Dawn Kabela worked hard to produce this best of the Victoria Best tournament’s ever and needs to be congratulated for putting together a first class event that was well supported and efficiently ran. I give this tournament two thumbs up for its quality and location.