Quebec World Open "2000"

R.J Bishop

Quebec City, Canada

The 20^th Annual "Quebec World Open" was held on May 5 & 6, 2000 in Quebec City Canada. The Tournament was held at both the Hotel Plaza Quebec and the Peps de L'Universite Laval. This Krane World Rated Tournament drew over 1,200 competitors from all over the world.

The Promoter SHIHAN CLERMONT POULIN of STUDIO UNIS is a disciple of the late great GRANDMASTER NICK CERIO. He runs one of the finest Martial Arts events that I have ever attended. SHIHAN POULIN really impressed me with his great organizational skills as well with his friendly down-to-earth personality, he treated every competitor like a V.I.P.

"TEAM PAUL MITCHELL’S" Jon Valera and Casey Marks were in attendance to conduct seminars and each did demonstrations in the Saturday Night Finals.

Friday night’s activities were held in the Hotel Plaza Quebec Ballroom, featuring "Musical Underbelt Form", Self-Defense", "Continuous Black Belt Fighting events, some of the teams in attendance were: TEAM LIGHTING of Oceanside M.A.’s in Narragansett RI, TEAM STRAIGHT UP of Cranston RI, TEAM KANATA VIPERS of Ottawa, TEAM CONTINENTAL AIRLINES of Venezuela, PORRES INTERNATIONAL BLUE TEAM, PITBULLS NATIONAL KARATE TEAM of Warwick RI and TEAM STUDIO UNIS of Quebec City.

The winners of the Team Fighting MENS BB ages 18-29 was TEAM HUGO edging out GENE"S SPORTS. The BOYS UNDERBELT ages 11-17 winner was TEAM TOTAL IMPACT defeating TEAM KANATA VIPERS.

The GIRLS UNDERBELT ages 5-10 winner was TEAM K.J.S. knocking off KARATE SPORTIFF. GIRLS UNDERBELT ages 11-17 winner TEAM TOTAL IMPACT defeated TEAM KANATA VIPERS. The UNDERBELT MEN 18 & older winner was TEAM CONTINENTAL AIRLINES defeating TEAM X-FILE. The UNDERBELT WOMEN 18 & older winners were TEAM KARATE PLUS defeating TEAM EXTREME. The BLACK BELT BOYS ages 11-17 winners were TEAM TOKYO JOE. The MEN’S BLACK BELT ages 30 & older winners were TEAM VENEZUELA and they defeated the OLD TIMERS. Finally, the WOMENS BLACK BELT 18 & OLDER winners were GENE’S SPORTS and they knocked off TEAM KENYO.

The Saturday Eliminations were held at the PEPS at L'UNIVERSITE LAVAL. The PEPS is a large Sports Complex on the University featuring two large Hockey Rinks side by side in that one building. This was the setting for the tournament and the 26 active rings. The Promoter SHIHAN CLERMONT POULIN welcomed the competitors and spectators to the tournament using both the French and English languages. Overall the competition was very good and the rings ran quickly and smoothly. I really enjoyed watching the Jr. Black Belts compete, especially the Musical Kata Division.

The Saturday night show was truly a wonderful event. SHIHAN POULINhad the customary seating around the ringside but added tables with nice tablecloths, flowers and bottled water for those V.I.P. seats, truly a touch of class. The stands were loaded with excited fans that really got into the show from start to finish.

This night time show started with a group of young ladies performing an entertaining dance routine. The first competition of the night was the JR. BLACK BELT KATA GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP with TEAM HUGO’S JEAN FRANCOISE LACHAPELLE squeaking by TEAM RODRIGUE’S MARC NADEAU. The next event was an outstanding Physically Challenged weapons demonstration performed by STUDIO UNIS students ULYSSE RUEL and FLORENT FORTIER.

TEAM CERIO’S NICOLE LEBLANC won the JR. BLACK BELT WEAPONS GRAND CHAMPIONSIP with her outstanding, intense, Bo Kata. Dynamic Karyn Belanger of TEAM HUGO won the ADULT BLACK BELT WOMENS KATA GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP.

WORLD WEAPONS & KATA CHAMPION JON VALERA performed the first of his two demonstrations by stunning the audience with his sensational Kama Kata. TEAM PAUL MITCHELL’S CASEY MARKS blew away the competition and won the ADULT BLACK BELT (M&F) WEAPONS with her famous Bo Kata.

The CONTINOUS FIGHTING exhibition was next with TEAM QUEBEC facing TEAM ONTARIO. With the Michael Buffer fighting music playing in the background, the scene was set for many exciting sparring matches. But in the end TEAM QUEBEC was victorious.

The next three events were demonstrations, first there was a Musical Aerobic Kickboxing demonstration followed by an outstanding CASEY MARKS Bo demonstration. Finally, we were treated to an entertaining Musical Self- Defense routine by STUDIO UNIS.

The last three events of the evening included The ADULT BLACK BELT MEN’S KATA GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP with TEAM STRAIGHT UP’s high flying DANIEL STERLING taking home the trophy. JON VALERA once again demonstrated why he is probably the top Kata performer of all times. MR. VALERA brought the house down with another outstanding performance.

The last event was the "8 MAN CHALLENGE", pitting eight of the world’s top international fighters against one another. Each of the competitors carried in their country’s flag as they were introduced. The competitors included: LUIS MORALES (GUATEMALA), ZONKO BRILL (CROATIA), ISMAEL SATURNO (VENEZUELA), FRANK ZOBIC (AUSTRIA), JOWARD SHAW (PAKISTAN), CHRISTIAN MESSUSIK (GERMANY), CHRIS RODRIGUES (USA) and RENE PERRAULT (CANADA). All were excellent fights but in the end CROATIA’S ZONKO BRILL defeated RENE PERRAULT of Canada for title.

Earlier in the afternoon two other Grand Championships were decided. The ADULT BLACK BELT WOMEN FIGHTING GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP went to KATIE RICHARDSON of Ottawa and the ADULT BLACK BELT MEN’S FIGHTING GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP went to FORTUNATO AVERSA of Ottawa.

Once again I would like to thank SHIHAN CLERMONT POULIN and his staff for their hospitality and for putting on such an outstanding tournament.

If you are looking to go to a superb international tournament then please consider the "QUEBEC WORLD OPEN". The date for the "2001" "QUEBEC WORLD OPEN" will be announced in the near future. You can contact SHIHAN CLERMONT POULIN at (418) 523-6638 or email him at c.poulin@caramail.com.