GREEN MT KARATE CHALLENGE &
                 VERMONT STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

                                 "Where Kids come first"
                                                                             by R.J. Bishop

RUTLAND VT

The 16th Annual Green Mountain Karate Challenge & Vermont State Championships were held at the Royce Mandigo Arena in the Vermont State Fairgrounds in Rutland Vermont. This wonderful event has been held the third week of July each year for the past 16 years, 263 competitors and over 300 spectators were in attendance. The Promoters, Tang Soo Do Stylists MASTERS MARK & BECKY STOCKTON pride themselves on presenting a quality family oriented event. Their moto "Where Kids Come First" was quite evident. Parents of the competitors are always given "FREE ADMISSION" to the tournament. When is the last time that has happened to you? 

The drive to Rutland Vermont is truly breathtaking, especially the stretch of road (Rt 4) from White River Junction to Rutland. Beautiful little villages, shops, mountains, streams and the Quechee Gorge are featured along this route. Many different activities happen every year that same weekend like a Classic Old Antique Car Show and a western Rodeo in a neighboring town. This is a great weekend to take a vacation and take in a real fun Karate Tournament. If you own an Motor Home, you can park at a site for only $15.00 per night, water and electricity included, and they have a security officer that patrols at night.

The tournament started about 10:15 am with the Black Belt Weapons divisions. Top Black Belts from all over New England and Canada put on a very good performance. The Jr divisions were very good and very competitive, especially in the Jr. Black Belt divisions. The state of Connecticut was well represented by a huge group of Martial Artists from BOB CHEEZIC’S TANG SOO DO FEDERATION and the NORWICH TANG SOO DO lead by Tournament Coordinator DOUG PEOPLES.

One of the highlights of the tournament was the MUSICAL/ KATA WEAPON divisions, particularly in the "ALL JUNIOR DIVISION". About 16 competitors were entered in the "ALL JUNIOR RANKS", but when the dust settled, a very talented ALEXIS MORALES of CT edged out the equally talented REGGIE LEVESQUE of MAINE by one, one hundredth of a point for the large beautiful 1st Place Trophy. By the way, THE STOCKTONS did not spare any expense for their trophies, these are among the nicest I have seen all year.

Well thanks to fine Head Officials like JEFF WOOD, MIKE CLARK, TONY GOULD and BOB DUPUIS, the Weapons, Kata and Kumite rings ran smoothly and with very little controversy. Congratulations to BRIAN ING of TEAM VIPER, the winner of THE "2000" LION HEART AWARD" which was sponsored by Deter Security. This Award is given to a young competitor that gave a 300% effort but just came short of placing. I have seen Brian compete before and he is a talented young Martial artist and a quality young man. I think Kent Maxfield of Deter Security made a good choice in selecting Brian.

Also Congratulations to MASTER BECKY STOCKTON on being promoted to 4th Dan earlier in the day.

Later in the afternoon they had the "TEAM FIGHTING" competition featuring "six’ different teams from all over New England. Most of the fights were very exciting, but in the end DOUG PEOPLES "TEAM PEEPS" of Norwich CT edged out JEFF WOODS tough "TEAM TAO" of Central Maine 13-11.

After the tournament a Y2K Party (Yes 2 karate) for all competitors, judges and spectators was held at Denny’s Pub. I was unable to attend this party but I heard it was a fun time. As MASTER STOCKTON put it "It’s not about ratings, this is friends coming together, there’s no politics here, no fighting or complaining and that’s the way we want to keep it". Isn’t that a refreshing way of thinking ? How often do you hear a statement like that? Those two large National circuits, are so competitive they often lose sight of what the Martial Arts are really all about. Thank God for Tournament Promoters like THE STOCKTONS.

My son and I really enjoyed ourselves again, and we really recommend this tournament to any and all Martial Artists that may be looking to attend a good summer tournament. I know we’ll be back next year, hope to see you there. For more information contact MASTER’S MARK & BECKY STOCKTON at (802) 773-9241 or write RSTOC99161@aol.com 

THE "2000" GREEN MT KARATE CHALLENGE & VERMONT STATE KARATE GRAND CHAMPIONS:

JR. NOVICE GRAND CHAMPION: Jennifer Sanchez

JR. INTERMEDIATE GRAND CHAMPION: Scott Shepherd

JR. ADVANCED GRAND CHAMPION: (Tie between) Bradley Gordon & Paul McGrath

JR. BLACK BELT GRAND CHAMPION: Alexis Morales

ADULT BB KATA GRAND CHAMPION: T.J. Mitchell

BB WOMEN’S KUMITE GRAND CHAMPION: Terraine Ghanzi

BB MEN’S KUMITE GRAND CHAMPION: Doug Peoples