Chat Room     Events      E-Postcards    Links    Discussion Forums    Home

The Maine Nationals "2000"
(Formerly the Paul Bunyan Nationals)

R.J Bishop

This years MAINE NATIONALS "2000" (Formerly the Paul Bunyan Nationals) was held at the Brewer High School Gymnasium on Feb. 19, 2000. Despite blizzard conditions the event drew over 280 competitors and over 300 spectators from all over New England and Canada. SABUMNIM MIKE CLARK, the promoter is in his 18^th year of promoting quality tournaments. SABUMNIN CLARK is a well-liked and respected Martial Artist and promoter, so it comes to no surprise that his tournaments are so well supported.

SABUMNIM CLARK started the event by welcoming all the competitors and spectators and honored all the Black Belts in attendance. Miss Veronica Henninger of ALEXIS Jiu-Jitsu - Karate, sang both the Canadian and the U.S. National Anthems beautifully.

The Weapons divisions went first and they featured many exceptional competitors, especially in the youth divisions. Several of the weapon divisions featured a large group of young competitors. Kata followed and I truly enjoy watching the Sport Karate stars of the future compete. I still get a kick (no pun intended) out of watching the very young novice competitors giving it their all.

The Kumite divisions were very competitive, particularly the Black Belt Divisions. Seasoned veterans like ALLEN VIERNES, KATE ARCHAMBAULT and JEFF WEAGLEY showed the young competitors their expertise.

This tournament featured many Grand Championships including UNDER BB DIVISIONS. They had Grands for Novice, Intermediates, Advanced, Youth and Adults. Not many promoters are willing to go the extra expense to have these kind of Grand Championships.

The MAINE NATIONALS "2000" was given an "A" rating by the new S.M.A.R.T. ratings service. The "A" is S.M.A.R.T.’s highest tournament rating. IPPONE gave the MAINE NATIONALS "2000" A 4 Star rating.

Overall the MAINE NATIONALS "2000" is still for my money, one of the fairest, well run tournaments anywhere, deserving a rating of TWO THUMBS UP from this reporter.

Coming up in OCT will be the 5^th Annual St. Jude Benefit Tournament, also at the Brewer High School in Brewer, ME, date TBA in the near future. ALL of the proceeds of this tournament will go to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital, so please support it. This will also be a S.M.A.R.T. rated "A" Tournament. For those interested in the St. Jude Benefit Tournament or the Karate Camp, call Mr. Clark at 207-989-6659.

Grand Champion winners for the 18^th Maine Nationals were: