Dragon Martial Arts in Albany WA are having a tournament in December 2007 open to all schools. This is the second such event (the first being today attracted 80 competitors I believe - not bad for a country town - but I only just found out about it.)

Dont know what rules/requirements/costs are yet but as the south-west of WA is pretty much starved of these sort of events it would be a great opportunity to compete and meet fellow students. Yes gkr students from Busselton/Bunbury etc would be extremely welcome. I believe referees will range from first to fifth dan.

I might dust off me mits and have a go myself so if anyone wants a lift and can live with my driving lemme know

Which styles of martial arts is this open to? Is it traditional karate/taekwondo etc? or does it include things like thai boxing, kung fu and tai chi aswell?

Yup - all welcome.

Rules are 'modified NAS'. Semi contact, chest guards and helmets required in addition to standard equipment - if advised beforehand equipment can be made available for loan.

Forms and continuous sparring only.

Hmmm, I might have give it a go. Just how do you define semi contact? Are the rules availabe online or how could i get a copy?

Folks - as the situation stands, theres a very good chance I`ll be able to get there for this. As a Tai-Chi form wouldn`t go down too well, I`d better dust off the ole` mits and give Matt a run for his money
I`d assume semi-contact is pulled punches, strikes and kicks. Having been on the receiving end of Matt and Micks strikes on more than one occasion, I`d say head protection is most advisable!

That sounds great that you guys are considering it. I'm considering giving one of my kung fu forms a run through. Might have to give sparring a miss as I haven't been studying for that since I moved away but I have more than enough time to work on my current form.

I have standard karate and full contact kungfu safety equipment also if anyone requires a loan.

Hope to see some of you there then.

Will - I will get the rules sent up and post them here.

By my recollection "semi contact" means dont miss, but dont try and knock their block off either. Exceptions being face punches will score if pulled just short (a-la gkr/nas), and will be pinged if contact occurs, but strikes and kicks to the body are expected to at least make contact, but not put them in hospital.

In other words dont connect with the face, but everywhere else is fine.

GKR/NAS/AKF etc style mitts, pads and groin guards are fine. I have 2 sets of head and chest gear so with Susans (and a towel) we should all be okay

... And by remarkable coincidence I believe there happens to be an excellent pub brewery in Albany

Weapons sparring too? Now THAT would be worth going all the way to Albany for.

Any updates on the date, time and venue of this tournament?

Yup:
Date: Saturday December 1 2007. 9:30

Venue:116 Lockyer Ave Albany

Events: Forms, Freestyle weapons forms and continuous sparring

Cost: $30 for 1 event - $5 per extra event.

Rules and entry form attached.
Return to me if you like and I'll get it all sorted. Still have room in my car - Tom - you serious about possibly being out here? That would be awesome!

Im definately going and have room in my car if anyone is interested.

Will you still keen?

Tom - you still likely to be here in December? cool! I'll stick the beer in the microwave!

Ok mate, be sure to take it out of the can first won`t you?

Matt,
Im still interested in going. A few others I know are also keen to go. It looks like we have a convoy

10-4 rubber duck.
Be sure to get your entry in - they mentioned capping it at 80.... but Im sure they wont knock anyone back. Black belts especially welcome as there aren't many in the area.

Is anyone going to the Albany Tournament? I’m definitely going.

Definately yes. They rang me last night about numbers so if peeps can reply asap would be handy.

Will I will probably be heading down on the friday afternoon if you need a lift and can get south (ie Kwinana... or possibly somewhere near the Roe Highway... think thats the best way to go).

Matt,
thanks for the offer of a lift. I will make my own way to Albany and see you guys there.

Will

SO??????

Who is going? Can we have a head count?

I guess I'm 1...

My guess is i'm 2.

3.
Any news on the other 2 Will?

If we can get confirmed numbers I'll book us all in for dinner at the pub

Matt,
no, not heard anything from them. I will try and get in contact with them.

Pub sounds good, make mine a pint

Oh gods - Ive just been asked to enter the sparring to keep the numbers up. Someone bring the oxygen with them eh?

Be gentle Will

Dinner at Tanglehead Brewery - 7:30pm

Great day!!
Fantastic people and a very well run event.
Congratulations to Willsc for first in forms, although I've never seen Hangetsu done quite like that before
Congratulations to Susan for first in Weapons.
Me? I kept up my usual situation of coming bloody second all the time. Ah well. C'est la vie.

Sparring was an experience. Me and Will were the oldest by a long shot, up against a couple of teenage kicking machines. Being a TKD tournament scoring was weighted in favour of kicks but we knew that so no gripes there. We strategised that keeping as close as we could to shut down the legs was the best approach. Will it was awesome watching an old fella like yourself chase this young athlete all over the ring. He was totally bamboozled as to how to fight back and you certainly took the fight to him (and his nose ).

I was up next. Fights were two ninety second rounds. After the first round I knew what asthmatics must feel like. Breathing was hard enough but with a chest guard constricting the lungs further I seriously thought I was going to collapse. I swear the break only lasted 5 seconds before we were back for round two. My guy decided to up the contact a fair bit so I obligingly returned the favour. A few warnings later the fight was mercifully over. Then I get called back to fight Will for third place. Two more rounds of sheer hell and the decision is announced - draw. We look at each other saying "ya gotta be shitting me - we have to go ANOTHER round?" ref saw the horror on our faces and decided to make it next point wins. I let Will get it (). Youth and strong kicks won the day but looking at the blood on our Gi's we must have had a good time.

Next ones in April if anyones interested

Nice one Guys! Nothing like a bit of claret on the Gi to make you feel good

Are there any pics?

With all the goings on I managed to get one photo of Susan. If Susan gives me permission I will post it. If not, it will be available on E-Bay

As loing as it's not of me getting my head kicked in....

...permission granted.

Well done everyone!

And here are the photos

Click to view attachment

Click to view attachment