11th Annual Captain Tamara Long-Archuleta Memorial Open Karate Championships
October 15, 2016
This was a successful tournament with 21 schools attending with 180 competitors including 51 competitors from our school, Belen Goju Ryu Karate, the host school. Over 100 Divisions were awarded in Kata (forms), Kumite (Sparring), and Kobudo (Weapons). A total of $3000.00 was raised to go towards the Captain Tamara Long-Archuleta Scholarship Program.
Schools in attendance were:
Host School: Belen Goju Ryu Karate Richard & Cindy Long,Belen,NM; Griego Kajukenbo Karate Prof. Art Griego, Prof. Phillip Griego, Sigun Rachel Griego, Edgewood, NM; Mountain Eagle Karate Academy Mark & Anna Gorman, Albuquerque, NM; Chavez Karate Mrs. Chavez, Albuquerque, NM; JMG Ultimate TaeKwonDo Juan Galvadon, Albuquerque, NM; United Kenpo Karate Academy Mr. Phan, Albuquerque, NM; Belen Academy of Martial Arts Lori Hallmark, Belen, NM; ATA Karate Rio Rancho Mr.&Mrs. Dalida, Rio Rancho,NM; La Familia Kajukenbo Boxing & Kickboxing Nicky Mendoza & Sonya Gurule Anaya, Bosque Farms, NM; Kim's Martial Arts Y.B. Kim, Albuquerque, NM; Cho's TaeKwonDo Sean&Denise Farrell, Albuquerque, NM; Isshin Ryu Herb & Barbara Edmon, Albuquerque, NM; J Chavez Kajukenbo, New Laguna, NM; Shaolin Wu Shu Kung Fu Academy, Master Jaime Perea, El Paso, Texas; Cathy Davis, Albuquerque, NM; Gabaldon Martial Arts Jude Gabaldon, Albuquerque, NM; New Mexico Shotokan Randall Sanders, Albuquerque, NM; Eastern New Mexico TaeKwonDo Academy, Portales, NM
The Grand Champions this year
Youth Beginning Kata Grand Champion -
Dexter Dixon, Kim's Martial Arts //
Youth Intermediate Kata Grand Champion -
Grace Wei, Kim's Martial Arts//
Youth Advance Kata Grand Champion -
Jet Nguyen, Kim's Martial Arts //
Adult Kyu Kata Grand Champion -
Gloria Yee, Kim's Martial Arts //
Black Belt Kata Grand Champion -
Keana Kast, Kim's Martial Arts //
Black Belt Women's Kumite & Black Belt Men's Kumite Grand Champions -
Keana Kast & Dave Hustedt (David Lee), New Mexico Shotokan
KOB Channel 4
Interview with reporter Rachel Hackarth
Sensei Richard and Sensei Cindy want to thank our student, Antoinette, for contacting the "Events" on Channel 2 KASA, and 4 KOB which resulted in us being asked to being interviewed by Rachel Hackbarth on the Noon newscast for three minutes about the 11th. Captain Tamara Long-Archuleta Memorial Open Karate Championships on October 15, 2016 at the Belen High School Gymnasium.
The tournament begins for Belen Goju Ryu Karate on Friday evening with the loading and setting up the tournament
7:30 am the Tournament day begins! Everyone works together for the event to be a success. The school endeavors to run a quality event with consistent and fair competition for all competitors. Belen Goju Ryu Karate is so thankful for all the students and families who worked at being such great Hosts!
The Opening ceremonies began with Rev. Jany Armstrong with Paradise Hills United Methodist Church opening with a prayer. We refer to Sensei Pastor Jay Armstrong as our dojo pastor. He had trained with us for 18 years to a third degree Black Belt (Sandan) before moving on to Albuquerque (Taylor Ranch).
We then had the National Anthem played and sung by Robert Noblin. Robert owns NOBLIN FUNERAL SERVICED & CREMATORY and his daughter is in the Junior Youth Class at Belen Goju Ryu Karate. Robert's wife, Katie, is the leader of the Belen High School Varsity Cheer Leaders and arranged for them to perform a cheer during the Opening Ceremonies after having won the Valencia Bowl the night before in the last seconds, Belen Eagles 22 - Los Lunas Tigers 21!
The Belen High School ROTC Color Guard Team was a no show for our event. We were very disappointed at their lack of professionalism and military ethic. Both Sensei Richard and Sensei Cindy's fathers were retired US Navy and this tournament was honoring our daughter and all those who serve, those who have served, and those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, like Capt. Tamara Long-Archuleta USAF.
Now the day of competition begins. These are a few of the pictures Cindy was able to take while also working the tournament. It was a great day of competition for all!
Belen Goju Ryu Karate's Class pictures with trophies
Tiny Tots Class:
Marley Free, Isaiah Browning, Nathaniel Pino, Zeke Martinez, Colton Malcom, Isabella Carrillo, Cassius Martinez, Adalyn Baca, Damien Jacobs, Jacob Garcia
Junior Youth Class:
Tommy Herold, Taylor Wroten, Karlie Arisman, Charlie Herold, Colton Malcom, Eugene Wroten, Ryan Garcia, Caleb Hughes, Luke Austin, Alex Garcia
Senior Youth class:
Sam Montoya, Alicia Lopez, Augustine Lopez, Joshua Servantes, Bryan Garcia, Stoney Molina, Brody Molina, Isaac Silva
Morning Adult Karate Class:
Jamie Atencio, Ernest Espinosa, John Miller, Joshua Baca, Antoinette Austin, Sensei Cindy, Sensei Richard
Evening Adult Class:
Brandy Spicher, Felicia Baca-Griego, Sydney Engler, Brandon Engler, Suzanne Gabaldon, Deanna Robb, Rick Peralta, Sebastian Hendricx, Sensei Cindy, Sensei Richard