November is looking like a busy time for Luke. He turns 10 on the 13th and then the next day he heads out to Delaware for the Mid-Atlantic Four Season's Games Hosted by Bruce Smith. You can read more information about this tournament at his web site; www.womaa1.com/fourseasons.html Then on Sunday for the big Birthday Party!! The rest of the month he will be training for his High Brown Belt.
                                                                            Tang Soo  ! ! !

     It was Saturday morning October 3^rd when Luke started his day by stretching and getting ready for that weekends Karate Tournament being held in Johnson City New York. Rexer’s Karate Academy was hosting this two day competition which began the night before with weapons being performed by Black Belts of all ages. We arrived Saturday at 10:00 am and things were already under way. Black Belt and Master Competitions began the morning with Colored Belt competition (Gups) to follow.

     Many schools from across the country were there and from the United Kingdom as well. There were approximately 250 competitors there all wanting the beautiful First Place Trophies. Luke was going up against at least 15 other kids’ ages 9 to 13 years of age. This was going turn out to be one of the toughest tournaments Luke has been to yet.

     Master Joe Rickard was the only other UTA representative there besides Luke and the two worked on Luke’s form “Pyung Ahn Sa Dan”.  Master Rickard was there to help support Luke and enjoy the beautiful fall colors that were just starting to appear on the trees. Master Rickard made sure that Luke knew to hold his kicks high and long to show the judges how long and hard he had worked for this tournament.

     Before long it was time for the Gups to go to their designated rings, all divided up by Belt Color and age group.  Luke appeared to be ready as well as the other kids that were there. Forms were up first and Luke and another kid, who was twice Luke’s size and older, were up to show their forms. Luke was very focused and introduced himself nice and loudly so that all five judges could hear him. Luke performed “Pyung Ahn Sa Dan” exactly how he was trained and held his kicks high and long. It took awhile to go through all the kids that Luke was going up against and it was very apparent that Luke was nervous on how he did. All the kids were awesome and it was going to be difficult for these five judges to determine who the winner was going to be.  Once all was said and done, three kids were chosen for 3^rd, 2^nd and First place. Only one was going to get the beautiful trophy for first place. Luke’s name was called out “First” and staying focused a little smile formed on the corner of his mouth.

     Breaking was up next and Luke may have bitten off more than he could chew by trying to break three boards stacked on top of each other with a hammer fist. Not so lucky this time but Luke gave it the old college try at least three times he tried breaking the three boards to no avail. Luke ended up hurting his hand and was pulled from the sparring competition. “Next time I am only going to break one board” Luke said. Luke’s next Tournament is up in Dalton PA and that is a breaking competition. Needless to say Luke will make sure he breaks all his boards in hopes to bring home another trophy such as the one he got for winning first place in the Forms Competition at “The Central New York Karate Tournament”

Tang Soo ! ! !

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