Huard’s "Battle of Maine"R. J. Bishop March 25, 2000 Winslow ME
This years "Battle of Maine" featured over 130 divisions, 8 places for all Forms Competitors, and numerous Grand Champions were crowned. Huard’s Battle of Maine" was given a 5 Star rating by IPPONE and S.M.A.R.T. gave it an "A", their highest tournament rating. Over 500 competitors competed at this years "Battle of Maine". Opening ceremonies began at 10:00am with the singing of the national anthem, which was beautifully done by the talented Veronica Henninger. The Youth and adult Musical Kata divisions (my personal favorite) started the show off. PROMOTERS TAKE NOTE: Nothing gets an audience fired up for a tournament more than an exciting Musical Kata/Weapons division (I wish more tournaments would have them.) This was the first year that the intermediate division was allowed to compete in the musical divisions at the "Battle of Maine" and they did a great job. In the Under BB Musical Division Meagan Forsythe performed a cute "Xena" The warrior Princess routine, this young lady is a future superstar. Luke Boucher was the winner of the Youth under BB musical Kata division performing an exciting Kama form. The Jr. Black Belt Musical division was very good, with Shane Gallagher winning that division. The Adult Black Belt Musical winner was Chad Joseph. The Youth Form division followed the Musical division and did you notice all black gi’s in the Sukee Arena? I’ll bet half of the youth competitors at the "Battle of Maine" were students of all the highly successful Huard’s schools throughout Maine.The Fighting divisions were very competitive and exciting to watch. I managed to watch several evenly matched spirited fights that seemed to go on for several minutes. Speaking of fighting, KRANE RATING INTERNATIONAL’S 18-29yr Old World Heavyweight Fighting Champion "Christopher Rodrigues" from the World Champion "TEAM PAUL MITCHELL" was in attendance judging and lending support to the Huard’s family. Weapons and Self-Defense followed the fighting and I was particularly impressed with several of the Self-Defense routines. Shane Gallagher and Stephen Krause had a very realistic looking routine that would have impressed many movie producers. Once again the "Battle of Maine" lived up to expectations, I personally had a good time and I’m sure the majority of the competitors and spectators did also. I rate this tournament "TWO THUMPS UP" and look forward to next year "Battle of Maine" scheduled for March 24, 2001 at the Sukee Arena & Events Center in Winslow ME. The "2000" Huard’s Battle of Maine" Grand Champions were: OVERALL JR UNDER BB GRAND CHAMPION:
LUKE BOUCHER
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