Well 8-19-2006 was the day that perhaps the most fun tournament in STO history was held. Dragons In The Sun at the Back 2 Back Indoor Sports Park showcased some of the top talent that the STO had to offer. It was a fair turn out on that Saturday afternoon. Everyone from Dragon Brand Taekwondo did exceptionally well as usual. Thanks to the Buffington’s and their incredible teaching. I competed in the Men’s Black Belt division of course and this time I was a 1st Degree Black Belt and not a Recommended Black Belt. I competed in Forms, Sparring, and Tag Team Sparring. The medals at this particular tournament were custom made to fit the theme of Dragons in the Sun. All of the past tournaments displayed the same medals as the previous tournament did. This was the first time in STO history that the medals were different. It gave me a little extra motivation to do well considering that my wall was starting to look cluttered with similar medals and I wanted one of the new design medals to stand out from the rest. It’s like Pokemon…GOTTA CATCH THEM ALL!
As far as my performance, In forms I placed dead last. I messed up and was sloppy on part of my form, however after further review I didn’t miss part of my form like what was previously thought, I was just so sloppy at it that the judges missed that I did it. In Men’s Black Belt Sparring I place 1st and received a Gold Medal! Yeah I got one of the new shining medals! The match for 1st place was a little extra special due to the fact that it was against a great long time friend (Mr. Lamoureaux) who I have never really sparred before. Well after all these years the grudge match of the century (kidding) was settled and I squeaked away with a win by one point and a little controversy at the end. So it looks as if this November a rematch will be set to determine not only a winner between us, but hopefully State Champion for 2006!!! The last even I participated in the tournament was the Tag Team Sparring event. Similar rules to individual sparring, however you have the option to tag one of two other team mates. A last minute team was form of Myself, Mr. Lamoureaux, and Elliott a Recommended Black Belt from Newberg. We placed first in that division after a great match with Mr. Stark (2nd Degree Black Belt) and Miss Betancourt (3rd Degree Black Belt). It was an honor and pleasure to spar with them, I hope we can all do it again sometime. So long day and a lot of stories to tell. Everyone did awesome and I can’t wait until November to finally crown a 1st ever STO State Champion!!! I enclosed a few pics from the tournament.
Mr. Lamoureaux’s victory over Mr. Stark for set up our 1st Place match
Gold Medal Match vs. Mr. Lamoureaux. I was helping him off the ground, really I was!
A very even match, he has an incredible guard!
Being awarded my 1st Place Gold Medal in the Men’s Black Belt Division
THE NEW AGE OUTLAWS: Mr. Lamoureaux, Elliott, and Myself after our 1st Place Victory in Men’s Tag Team Sparring
VAM: Michelle, Allison, and Veronica after their 1st Place win in Women’s Tag Team Sparring
PINK DIVA’S: 2nd Place in Women’s Tag Team Sparring
My 1st Place Medal for Men’s Black Belt Sparring
