RMA SUCCESSFUL AT FALLS EVENT

It was a quick trip to the falls for 5 Barrie martial artists as they competed at the SMAC Internationals in Niagara Falls, New York this past weekend (March 6/7).  The five who train out of RMA Karate Centres in Barrie were among hundreds of martial artists from across the USA and Canada competing for top spot.

Third degree black belt and RMA instructor Tressa Young gave a strong performance competing alongside her fellow men and women black belts winning first place in Japanese forms, first place in creative forms, first place in creative weapons, first place in sparring and second place in choreographed musical weapons.

Junior black belt Sale Berube did amazing competing for only her third time as a black belt and at an international event.  The eleven-year-old found herself competing among many seasoned black belt competitors and through a strong performance won first place in creative weapons, first place in Kempo forms and second place in musical weapons.

Intermediate Wushu student Eden McGuire gave a strong performance for her first competition of 2015.  The sixteen-year-old trains in the Chinese martial art of Wushu under the direction of Tressa Young and the SMAC event gave her the opportunity to test her skill resulting in her winning first place in creative forms and finalist in the creative weapons division. 

Purple belt Shamus Berube continues to tweak his form and sparring skill testing his abilities at the Niagara Falls event winning second place in men’s sparring and second place in traditional forms. 

It was the first international event for thirteen-year-old Jacob Allen who took everything in not only giving his best in his own divisions but watching all the other martial artists in attendance.  The blue belt finished the competition winning a finalist position in the traditional forms division.

The five martial artists not only attend their regular weekly training but also commit to additional competition training to help improve their skill and abilities.   The competition team training is run by RMA black belt instructors Tressa Young, Craig Ridout and Linda Young who volunteer their time to provide the students the extra classes at no extra cost.  For more information about RMA Karate Centres visit www.rmakarate.com .

RMA ENDS 2011 WITH A BANG

RMA ENDS 2011 WITH A BANG

It was the last competition of 2011 for the martial artists of RMA Karate Centres in Barrie.  They entered the Hershey Centre in Mississauga early Saturday morning (26^th) to compete alongside their peers who had traveled from across Ontario and the United States.

RMA Karate instructor Tressa Young moved up an age group to compete in the adult women’s divisions at the Toronto Tournament of Martial Arts Champions and despite being 16 years old, she left her mark - literally.  The second degree black belt competed in forms, weapons and sparring divisions winning 4 first place and 2 second place finishes.  After winning her first fight, the petite girl of only 118 pounds advanced to the final round.

The final fight to determine who would take first place had Young up against a competitor from London who wanted the win just as bad and was able to answer every kick and hit the Barrie native gave.  Young literally left her mark on the London fighter giving her a bloody nose from a hit to the face.  The return of exchanges between the two gave the crowd a show but Young ended up placing second in the adult women’s fighting division after being defeated 9-8.  For her first time competing in the adult categories Young did well for herself.

Advanced brown belt Samantha M also proved that hard work and dedication can pay off.  The 13-year-old pushed herself beyond her limits to compete in the Kung Fu divisions against seasoned Kung Fu practitioners.  Samantha had only learned her Kung Fu form from her instructor (Tressa Young) just one week before but that didn’t stop her from showing the judges and her fellow competitors what she was capable of.  She was all smiles after placing 2^nd in the Kung Fu division and went on to win first in musical forms, first in sparring, third in Korean forms, fourth in traditional forms and fifth in weapons.

Brown belt Jacob G continues to give no surprises when competing.  The 13-year-old placed first in weapons, first in forms, first in sparring and third in Korean forms.

Brooke Z has steadily improved throughout the 2011 competition year and this recent event was no exception.  The blue belt placed third in musical forms, third in sparring, fourth in weapons and fourth in forms.

Red belt Ella Z, giving her personal best in a division of 17 competitors placed fifth in weapons, fifth in sparring and was a finalist in the forms division.

Blue belt Alysha S-P continues to work hard and show steady improvement.  Half way through the 2011 competition year the 13-year-old moved into the advanced divisions proving to be a challenge but not an impossible feat to overcome.  She finished the year winning first in sparring, fifth in forms and fifth in weapons.

Red belt Keegan S-P held his own in a division of 25 competitors placing fifth in weapons, fifth in sparring and was a finalist in the forms division.

Red belt Asher A continues to prove he can handle a weapon placing third in weapons and fifth in the forms division.

Seven-year-old orange belt Liam N who only recently joined the RMA competition team, the Northern Dragons, performed with confidence placing fifth in forms, fifth in weapons and second in the sparring division.

New to the competition scene, orange belt Katie B was all smiles when performing in her forms and weapons division finishing fifth.

“ All 10 RMA martial artists gave their personal best and we are very proud of their accomplishments in 2011 and at this competition.  They are amazing to watch and it is our honour to help guide them in their competition journey through their dedicated training at RMA”, head instructor Craig Ridout said.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qLXqQzgxUk

Tressa Young competed in the women's divisions although only 16. She won 1st in her forms and weapons divisions and second in her point sparring. She did amazing! Check out the video.