Regionals on the Reef

 

Region 7 held their 2009 regional tournament in Myrtle Beach , SC on November 6-7 at the beautiful Crowne Reef Hotel.  Azure skies and a cool ocean breeze greeted the arrival of 169 participants, some of whom traveled more than 500 miles to compete, fellowship and train.

 

Friday welcomed catching up with TSD family, event preparation and delectable seafood dining.  Some of the more adventurous (or crazy- the jury’s still out) ventured into the ocean, in bathing suits or street clothes, it mattered not!

 

The official TSD weekend began Friday night at 7:00 as Region 7 Black Belts gathered to train with the Grandmaster.  Grandmaster Jae C. Shin instructed students on the “basics” of executing kong kyuck and ahp cha ki with exacting technique.  Detail and energy were the theme of the evening and Black Belts enjoyed intensive work with the Grandmaster.

 

Late in the evening, Region 7 Black Belts practiced the demo, under the leadership of Mr. Christopher Dunn, Sam Dan from Chapin Martial Arts.  Master Mitchell Dunn kept the Dans focused and moving as one to the beat of the drum as we executed the Naihachi hyungs. The Masters finished the demo with Shi Shan.

 

Opening ceremonies convened with words from the Grandmaster and the return of the 2008 cups. Raffle ticket sales for the scholarship fund began and Black Belts were promoted.  The Hall of Fame Winners were then announced:  Mr. Chad Smith, E Dan, (Palmetto Panther) was awarded Studio of the Year.  Instructor of the Year was awarded to Mr. Christopher Dunn, Sam Dan, (Chapin Martial Arts).  The Henderson Family, (Scota Karate Academy) was awarded Family of the Year.  Student of the Year was given to Ms. Nancy Miller, (Twin Dragons).  Mr. Eric King, Sam Dan, (Charlotte TSD) was awarded the Community Service Award.  Ms. Natalie Harper, Cho Dan, from Chapin Martial Arts was awarded the Spirit Award for the fall black belt testing cycle and Mr. Brent Lacey, Sam Dan, (Twin Dragons), was the recipient of a $1000.00 scholarship from the Region 7 Scholarship Fund to support academic progress and achievement.

 

Competition began early Saturday morning with Black Belt competition.  Jillian Pruitt, Cho Dan, was awarded the Adult Black Belt cup, Kathy Scully, E Dan, the Senior Black Belt cup and Chris Antley, Cho Dan, was the Junior Black Belt cup winner (recipients from Scota Karate Academy).

 

Award winners for the Gup divisions were as follows: Noah Block, Jr. Gup, Corinne Dooley, Adult Gup, Joy Sheil, Senior Gup, Caitlyn Hensley, Jr. Advanced Gup, Maxim Williams, Adult Advanced Gup and Rachel Mann, Senior Advanced Gup (all winners from Scota Karate Academy).

 

The weekend concluded with a more-than-one-person-could-ever-eat buffet seafood dinner with the Grandmaster, Masters, instructors and families of Region 7.  Students and families had the opportunity renew friendships and get to know each other outside of the competition ring.  Participants, while fiercely competitive and serious about their individual and school training, have an incredible sense of brotherhood, love and support for all members of the Region 7 TSD family.  I am forever amazed and proud of the unity, friendship, respect and support that emanates between the schools and competitors in the region.

 

Thanks for all of the hard work and dedication of the Region 7 Masters and instructors.  Special thanks to Master Jim Mars, Master Mitchell Dunn, Master Joel Gilreath, Master Joe Scota, Mr. Jim Young, Sam Dan, and the countless others who pitched in to make the event a success!  And as always, thanks to the Grandmaster for his steadfast love and dedication to regional events and the World Tang Soo Do Association!

 

Tang Soo!

 

Kathy Scully, E Dan

Scota Karate Academy