THE 23RD MAINE MARTIAL ARTS CHALLENGE
Hallowell ME R.J. Bishop April 8 & 9, 2000
The 23rd "Maine Martial Arts Challenge" was "A" rated by the new S.M.A.R.T. rating service and 5 stars by IPPONE. Promoter ROBERT DUPIOS and his wife KATHY have come a long way since inheriting this tournament from their mentor SABUMNIM JEFF WOOD. This tournament was very well organized, fair and a lot of fun to attend. Saturday was the Black Belt day with about sixty talented Black Belts ready to do battle. The competition started at 3:00pm and ended about 8:00pm. The Colored Belt competition on Sunday started about 10:30 am and ended about 4:30pm. Both days ran smoothly and without controversy. On Saturday the Jr. Black Belt Musical divisions started off the tournament with "TEAM TAO’s" exceptionally gifted REGGIE LEVESQUE of Augusta ME winning the 17 & under competition with his high energy and entertaining open hand kata. The exciting, high flying, T.J. Mitchell won the adult Black Belt Musical Division. The Sunday tournament began with the All ages Under Black Belt Musical division with JOSHUA DESORDA of Stowe VT winning that division with a superb musical Bo form. Like Saturday the Weapons division followed the Musical. There were many gifted Jr. Weapons competitors in attendance, so many that they decided to split the division to give more kids a change to place. Kata followed immediately by fighting came next. Good Sportsmanship was displayed throughout the day And that’s what it’s all about. Many new friendships were struck up those two days. The local D.A.R.E. program set up a kicking contest in one of the rings in order to raise money for their worthy cause. Also a raffle was set up to raise money for the "Maine Special Olympics". During the tournament SENSEI’S DUPUIS & WOOD stopped the action to recognize SABUMNIM MIKE CLARK of Bangor ME. Earlier in the week SABUMNIM CLARK’S building sustained damage due to a fire and the Black Belts organized a collection to help him purchase some new equipment to replace the smoke damaged stuff. Martial Artists are a close knit group almost like a family, always ready to help when needed. Kudos’s to the "TEAM TAO" families and friends running the concession stand. Probably the best tournament cuisine on the Maine circuit. They had a large menu to choose from and at very reasonable prices. Next years "Maine Martial Arts Challenge" may move to a new larger facility due to the growth of the tournament. Date and location will be announced in the near future. If you are looking to attend a FAIR, FUN, TOP QUALITY, tournament then keep in mind the "Maine Martial Arts Challenge". I give it TWO THUMPS UP! For information on next year’s tournament contact: SENSEI ROBERT DUPUIS at 207-377-3615. This years "Maine Martial Arts Challenge" Grand Champions were: BLACK BELT PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED: Mason Gray
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