Recently, Team Wright’s UWA Martial Arts athletes and new rising stars outkicked and out punched their opponents at the Fight for Cancer National Karate Championship, held at Bally’s Casino and Hotel in Atlantic City, N.J., on July 24 and 25.
The sparring rules were Tang Soo Do traditional – meaning kicks were allowed to the head and must make contact to the head gear or body, while foot gear was optional. It was a grueling battle of “old school” karate rules, which Team Wright is accustomed to, stated Head Coach Austin Wright Sr. Wright was remembered as a consistent national champion himself, who supports Grand Master G.J. Giacobbe in his cause. Wright received a plaque by the tournament director, who publically thanked him for his numerous years of support as well as bringing top rated competitors to his annual competition.
The newest rising star, Derrick Bickham (who was a novice orange belt with less than five months of training), jumped into the green belt level and took first place in a higher rank division. It was Bickham’s first tournament, and he won a national championship.
Next, Sensei Shannan Friend, a 41-year-old black belt originally from Australia, signed up with Team Wright. He took first place in the men’s Black Belt Division. Friend got Everlast Co. to sponsor him for the upcoming International World Championship “Freedom Games” 2010, which Team Wright will be attending in Trelawney, Jamaica. He was promoted to the Second Dan Sensei Rank by the UWA Board, as this tournament was a rank qualifier. Friend is presently preparing to defend his regional belt title in Jersey City, under the direct supervision of Coach and promoter Austin Wright Sr., who is sponsoring the Nov. 21, 2009 U.S. Open Regional Championship “Fighting For a Cure” for St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital.
Championship results are: Jose Rodriguez, white belt, placed first in Sparring; Erika Vazquez, white belt, placed first in Sparring; Derrick Bickham, yellow belt, placed first in Sparring; Johnny O’Brien Jr., black belt, placed second in Sparring and second in Forms; Kenneth Jackson Jr., black belt, placed second in Sparring and fourth in Forms; Kyle Jackson, green white stripe belt, placed second in Sparring; Tariq Cuffy, white belt, placed second in Sparring; Ziggy Niebank, brown black stripe belt, placed third in Weapons and fourth in Forms.
All students train under the direct supervision of Grand Master Dr. Austin Wright Sr.