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March 21, 2009 - This is the third tournament of the year in the AMAPA League and the second annual Soulistic Olympics. Soulistic Olympics proved to be one of the most successful tournaments of the year. Last year, the gymnasium was filled to the top. Barely anyone could fit in the tournament. What's more was the momentum of the popularity carried to this year. Even with the drizzly weather and slow economy, it didn’t stop the people from coming to this outstanding event. There were numerous karate schools and teams in attendance such as Pallens, Solis Martial Arts, Dumlaos, Lama’s Kenpo Karate, Delta One, Loopkicks, Prorank California, Team Allied, Kovar’s Martial Arts and many more.
Soulistic Olympics showcased a halftime show demonstration by James Solis' Soulistic team and special guests. The special guests were national and world champions: Rudy Reynon, Richard Cali, Scott Wu, Hans Wikkeling, Sesshoumaru, Mackensi Emory, Jayr Deguzman and Gemma Nguyen. Not to forget about executive guest Carlos Navarro, who showed that he could still hang with the young and agile. The demonstration got the crowd at the top of their lungs from cheering too loud. It was a very inspiring moment for the local audience to experience world class performance.
Danie Anaya and Max Trujillo fought for the 17 middle 121 lbs division. Danie Anaya proved himself the winner. Bo Hall was in a mission to dominate the boy’s 12-14 point sparring division. He slipped through the competition against Chris Bautista, Jessie Pallen, and Brandon Magtibayca. In the girl’s 12-14 point sparring grand championship competition, Lyndell Farin defeated her competitiors: Aaliyah Hall, Christine Pallen, and Alura Stevens. For the AMAPA Grand Championship 8 & 9 Girls Point Sparring (ALL), it was down to Malia and Rochelle. Malia Seronio scored 4 more points to win the grand. Zachary Gaona wins the 7 & under boys point sparring (all ranks) against Miguel Hernandez. In the 15-17 boys point sparring (all ranks) grand championships, Walter Dotson took home the title against Benjamin Aledo and Dezmon Robinson. It was between Morgan Howard and Megan Dulaney in the 10-11 girls point sparring (all) grand championship and Megan Dulaney ended up taking the win. Maile Mendiala won the grand championship for the 15-17 girls point sparring (all ranks) grand. Bobby Serenio was the grand champ fighter in the 10-11 boys point sparring (all) grand championships. Angel Caliz and Jerrel Siazon fought each other in the 8 & 9 boys point sparring (all) but Jerrel Siazon won the Grand Championship. Noelle Wilson was the final winner of the 18+ women black belt point sparring grand championship against Tiffany Gardere. 
Now we haven’t forgot about the Adult’s forms grand championship. In the 18+ under belt traditional kata division, Kathryn Kaldunski and Roy Dea took the place of first in the kenpo division while West Alexander IV took the respective first place in the Japanese division. All three competitors met up in the grand championship finals. West Alexander IV became the victor of the night. Dan “The Man” Lim impressed the crowd with a double crown win of the evening. He beat out Jessica Nova and Carlos Navarro in the Adult 18+ Traditional Grand Championship. Moreover, he walked away with another title in the Adult 18+ (all ranks) Open/Weapons/Music Grand Championship. He walked away with $300 cash in both winnings. Last but not least, the tournament ended with the 18+ Adult Sparring Grand Championship Finals. David Flame proved to his competition that he was worthy to take home the Men’s 18+ Under Black Belt Point Sparring title. He blasted through Clay Wilson and Michael Sparks to gain that worthy trophy. A surprised visit from Willie Hicks and Jamal Albini shook up the ring floor in the Men’s 18+ Black Belt Sparring Grand Championship. Hicks defeated Corey Anderson with a score of 6 to 3. Jamal Albini defeated Trent Anderson with a score of 10 to 9. Hicks and Albini were no strangers to each other in the ring as they sought to destroy each other. In the end, Hicks became the winner of the night with a score of 7 to 6. Sylvester Youngblood proved that he can still move in the Men’s 35+ Black Belt Sparring Grand Champion as he walked home with the title. Once again, the tournament has become a great success. The next upcoming event is Tim Calvin’s Smackdown in Brentwood, CA - Heritage High School on April 25, 2009. Will any of these grand champion winners continue their winning streak to receive their overall end of the year convenient grand champion title belt? Hope to see everyone at the next tournament.
A message from Professor Jordan Pallen in honor of Sifu Shannon Apple Shannon Apple July 13, 1962 - February 26, 2009 Martial Artist * Instructor * Coach * Brother * Friend It is with great sadness we announce the passing of one of AMAPA's most dedicated judges and dearest friends, Shannon Apple. Shannon is a great example of a man who gave himself unselfishly to everyone. He always had a way of making people happy with his jokes and unique smile. He never asked for anything. He was truly a GIVER. As a martial artist, he wasn’t in it for the ranking. He was in it for the love of the martial arts. He volunteered his time sharing his knowledge and inspiring others to pursue their quest to be a black belt and beyond. As a black belt, he never stopped being a student and always trained to be the best martial artist, competitor and instructor that he could be. With Shannon, you knew what he was about when you first meet him. What you see is what you get. He was a genuine good person who told you what he thought and how he felt. He was a loyal and faithful man. He was always positive and tried to find the good in bad situations. As a martial artist, I respected him for his knowledge and dedication to the arts. As a man, I am proud of him for overcoming the seemingly insurmountable obstacles set before him. As a friend, I appreciated his unconditional love and devotion to me and my family. As a brother, I Truly miss him. May God embrace him at the gates of heaven and welcome him to his Kingdom. If you want to donate to Shannon’s service, share your pictures/ video or keep updated on Shannon’s service/events, go to: www.shannonapple.com
Y.E.T Program: The Young Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow (Y.E.T) is a program designed to teach our youth about the ins and outs of credit, business and finance.This program was created to give our young people options in life and to let them know that they don’t have to live a life of constant financial struggle. Our goal is to teach them how to be good stewards of their finances and business affairs and how to become financially free. What we don’t want for our children is for them to get caught up in this vicious cycle of financial struggle and apathy that many American are finding themselves in today. Many people graduate from high school or college, find a job, get married, have children, purchase a house, refinance that house several times and find themselves barely making ends meat and living pay check to pay check.. There’s simply no logic in living this way. They struggle financially and no matter how much money they make it seems to never be enough. Our goal is to stop this cycle by educating our children and teaching them a better way.
Business to Business Networking Program: AMAPA would like to introduce the AMAPA Business to Business Networking Program for Martial Arts School Owners. Our objective is to provide effective programs and systems that will elevate the quality of our martial arts school members. If you would like more information about this affordable and informative program, please fill out the contact information and someone will get back to you shortly.
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The tournament started the morning off with the forms competition. Christine Pallen took first place in the 12-14 kenpo-polynesian division. In the 17 & under boys/girls (all ranks) open/weapons/music Grand Championship, the division was huge. It had 14 competitors for the crown. Jonathan Cornejo and his sword managed to reign supreme with a score of 29.94.On the other side of the gym, Rochelle Espinosa was the star winner for the 9 & Under Boys/Girls Traditional Kata (all) Grand Championship, while Karl Bettencourt became the winner of the 15-17 boys/girls traditional kata (all) Grand Championship. Evanco Sinay was the victor of the 10-11 boys/girls traditional kata (all). Brianna Lewis’ precise techniques won her the 12-14 boys/girls traditional kata (all) grand championship.
Sparring started around noon without any hesitation. AMAPA did a special sparring division for a nonprofit city organization called “Safe Passages.” Safe Passages recruited World Champion competitor, Scott Wu, to become a mentor for disadvantaged chilren. Scott Wu kept the kids off the streets by instructing them in self defense and engaging them to a whole new and positive lifestyle. With that, Scott Wu spoke with Professor Jordan Pallen to have these kids compete in the tournament to inspire them to develop their interest in martial arts.
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