Chun Kuk Do International Training Conference
Las Vegas, NV - July 2012
Mr.
Jim, Andi, Alex and I (Mrs. Woods) just returned from the annual trip
to Las Vegas for the CKD ITC. We want to share with you some of our
experiences while we were there. As always the trip was education,
exciting and fun.
FYI - the 2013 CKD ITC has been set. The dates are July 18-21st.
We would like to take a large group of students with us next year ...
and maybe even compete in the Demo Team Competition. UFAF will have a
payment option set up soon so you can pay for your ITC in small
increments. If you think you might be interested, please talk to Mr. Jim
or Mrs. Lindy NOW for more information so we can all start planning!!! 
On
Thursday, Alex, Andi & I attended an instructor development class
lead by Iain Abernethy who shared with us some great information
regarding our katas and their applications for self defense. It was
truly an eye opening class and we look forward to sharing this
information with our higher ranking students in the near future.
Thursday night we watched eight Black Belts be inducted as 5th Degrees in the Masters Rank Induction Ceremony. This was the largest ceremony to date. 
After
the MRIC, we attended a private pool party and enjoyed a cookout with
our UFAF friends & family. As usual, the younger generation got
together for a tricking session and Alex & Andi were right in the
middle of it!  
Friday
morning the seminars started. Andi and Alex started with another
seminar with Iain Abernethy followed by a sparring class with the
infamous Jadi Tention. Mr. Jim had a class on self defense by Ms. Clara
Malendez followed by a kata class by Master Freebearn. 
After
the seminars, we were excited to watch the demo team competition. This
year the winning team was from Giroux Brothers Martial Arts in
Boston.
Next came the the forms & weapons competition. Mr. Jim got 2nd place in forms in 38 & over male & female Intermediate division.
Alex received 3rd in forms & 2nd in weapons. Because he didn't get first place, he did not get to compete for a chance retain his Norris Cup. Instead, the Adult Forms Grand Champion for 2012 is Greg Bullock from Presti Karate Centers in NY.
 Andi won both her forms & weapons then went on the compete in the Jr. Grands competition for the Norris Cup. There were
some truly great competitors and this year the win went to Donald
Smalls, II from Premier Martial Arts in North Augusta. (We are happy the
Norris Cup will stay in our region!)
Saturday we had more seminars. Mr. Jim and the intermediate adults had
a sparring class with Mr. John Malone followed by kata bunkai with
Master Steve Nelson.
The
Black Belts started with another session by Master Abernethy then Andi
& I assisted Alex as he taught a tricking class to the Red and Black
Belt youth.
 After the seminars we watched
the first ITC grappling tournament. We saw a lot of talent in the
ground game from the youth and the adults! It got me anxious to compete
next year!
Saturday
evening, we attended the banquet & awards ceremony where Andi was
awarded Jr. Competitor of the Year. The award is based on the previous
year's World Championships and in 2011 Andi won forms, weapons, sparring
& the Jr. Grand Championship.
Alex
also received a plaque as a seminar instructor at the ITC. ... I failed
to mention earlier that Mr. Norris' twins were in Alex' seminar (talk
about pressure), but we heard from a reputable source that the kids ran
back to Daddy excited to show him what all they had learned during the
seminar!
On Sunday we only had to focus on the sparring competition. Mr. Jim, despite being injured, won 1st place in the 35 and over Intermediate division. He had two tough matches vs an ex Marine then an ex Navy man.  
Andi also won 1st
in her division after two matches. That's two years in a row she's been
a triple crown winner - in Forms, Weapons & Sparring! 
Alex, after winning his weight division, went on to compete in the
Men's sparring grand championship ... This would give him another shot
at winning a Norris Cup. Before the match began the other men were
asking to see his ID because Alex didn't even look old enough to be in
their division... he really was the "under dog." But, despite being
terribly outsized (at least 100 pounds), he really gave them a "run for
their money."
Giving
added pressure to the matches, Mr. Norris stayed to watch the fighting,
and Alex wanted to make sure he once again left a good impression.
 In his first match he fought David Alanzo and beat him by one point in "sudden death" over time! In his 2nd
match, he had to fight David's brother, Jorge. The score was tied...
with 3 seconds left... Both men charged in for the point .... Ahhhh -
the majority of judges point toward Mr. Jorge Alanzo signifying that his
shot got in first. So, the win and the Norris Cup when t o Mr. Jorge Alanzo from Mexico.  
On
Monday & Tuesday, I (Mrs. Woods) attended some Masters Development
classes then had to take a written test showing my grasp of what had
been taught. This is the 3rd MDS class I have completed. Each
one has made me better teacher, trainer and coach. These courses are
required for any candidate wanting to promote to 5th degree, but they
are open to all UFAF Black Belts!
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| Chuck Norris Awards the Competitors of the Year Chun Kuk Do ITC 2012 |
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