A Colorado Karate Association (CKA) tournament held at the Softball Country Hub on September 8, yielded several champions from Five Star Martial Arts. Approximately 400 competitors entered the competition and again, competitors from Five Star Martial Arts showed their expertise. Phillip Willett, Jr. was awarded Grand Champion for his performance of a traditional kata. Competing and placing in the traditional kata divisions were: Bill Feliss, Marcellino Ortiz, Sr., Phillip Willett, Jr., Shaylene Wilkinson, and Sensei Jeff Stenson. Competing and placing in weapons was Marcellino Ortiz, Jr. who placed 1stby whooshing around the mats with the double broadsword and Phillip Willet, Jr. swinging his staff placed third. Competing and placing in the musical kata divisions wereShaylene Wilkinson who rocked to Bon Jovi, and Sensei Jeff whose “flash” is talked about all over – “He’s the camera guy!”. And since you can’t have a martial arts tournament without fighting, all of the above competitors kicked their way to the top to make their mark on the mats.
Sensei Jeff also competed in (and placed First!) in the continuous sparring division at the National Tournament held Friday, September 7. He was already tired before he started on Saturday morning.
Phillip Willett, Jr. and Sensei Jeff also competed in the America’s Cup, a National Qualifying Tournament on August 25, held at the National Western Complex. This tournament was to qualify Black Belts for an invitation to the Disney’s Martial Arts Festival. Phillip, although not a Black Belt, competed just for fun and placed first in both traditional kata and weapons. Sensei Jeff earned his invitation(s) and was the Number One Competitor for the tournament after his performances in traditional kata, creative kata, musical kata, and sparring.
Students at Five Star Martial Arts are encouraged to participate in tournaments to show their art, to learn from their experience, and see what other martial artists have to offer. For class or tournament information, visit the website at www.fivestarmartialarts.com.