CKD ITC 2009

Mrs. Lindy Woods, Andi Woods, Alex Gardner, and Devin Mock recently traveled to Las Vegas, NV for the annual Chun Kuk Do International Training Conference and World Championship.  This was the 30th Anniversary of the event and it was an event to remember. 

We arrived late Wednesday night, July 15th, to a smothering 108 degrees.  After getting checked in to the hotel we found a bite to eat then hit the sack.  Thursday afternoon, Mrs. Woods and Devin participated in a special Red - Black Belt Instructors class.  We learned about implementing extreme techniques into our CKD and about hidden bunkai techniques in our traditional forms.

Thursday night Mrs. Woods participated in the Masters Rank Induction Ceremony.  She was one of 7 Black Belts to be promoted to 5th Degree Black Belt earning the Master status.  Each candidate had to present a physical performance then was presented with the Masters gi top by our CKD President, Aaron Norris.  You will notice Mrs. Woods now wears the all black masters uniform on the mat. 

First thing Friday morning everyone lined up then dispersed to various class rooms for rank specific training seminars.  Mrs. Woods and Mr. Gardner spent over 5 hours training in the new Integrated Self Defense Techniques (MAA type skills), while Devin trained in gun defense and CKD Grappling while Andi learned about defeating the bully without fighting and more extreme CKD skills.

Friday afternoon brought on the demo team competition.  Dunamis did not have a demo team competing because we didn't have enough students in attendance.  Andi, however, competed with Team Hensley from N. Augusta & Evans, GA.  Their performance was amazing, but they didn't win the competition due to a time penalty.  Following the demo competition was the weapons & forms competition.  Devin took 3rd place in the 15-17 Red Belt division in forms and weapons.  Mr. Gardner had a strong showing in the weapons division, but failed to place.  He took 1st place, however, with his open hand kata.  Andi placed 3rd in weapons and took 1st place with her open hand form.  

Next was the Grand Champion competition.  This is when the winners from all the Jr. Black Belt divisions compete against each other for the Jr. Forms Grand Champion title ... and the Norris Cup.  Our region ended up with 3 out of the 11 competing for the Cup: Andi Woods, Alex Gardner, and Donald Smalls from Team Hensley.  After some tough competition, the win went to an 18 year old from TX ... a student in the KICK-Start program.  He will have to move up to the adult division next year, so we were glad to see him win because this was his last chance in the Jr. Division.  Andi and Donald were tied for runner up!  

In the Adult Grand Champion Division, our region again had 3 competing to win the cup, Aaron Hensley, Carmen Hensley (from Team Hensley, of course) and Astrid Fabian from Club Karate in Beaufort.  It was some very close competition, but the win went to Mike Holstein from Chip Wright's school in Oregon.

Saturday AM we had more classes.  Mr. Gardner worked out with Raffi Pambuan in an escrima class then sparring with JDog.  Devin had a sparring class followed by the escrima class.  Mrs. Woods & Andi taught a class to the Jr. Red and Black Belts on Championship Kata from the Inside Out.  After the classes, the team sparring began.  We didn't have anyone participating in this event, but it was fun to watch.

Saturday night was the Awards Banquet.  The night kicked off with Grand Master Norris going from table to table shaking hands with EVERYONE in the room... over 600 of us.  When he got to our table, Alex's grandfather, Mr. Stephen, told Mr. Norris that he was 85 years old.  When Mr. Norris got on stage he was introducing people who he had brought with him.... then he said "He Steve, you said you were 85, but my mom has you beat... she is 88!"  We were all in shock.  Mr. Norris had remembered Mr. Stephen's name and age out of those 600 people he shook hands with.  Awesome!

Sunday, following the individual photos with Mr. Norris, was the sparring competition.  The only student we had competing was Alex Gardner.  He was one of ten guys in the 15-17 Black Belt division.  After 3 tough fights, Mr. Gardner finished in 2nd place!  Outstanding Job!

See pictures from the ITC  Pictures

There are videos of the competition on our youtube page... check them out!  www.youtube.com/lindymink  !!