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AN EXTRAORDINARY KARATE TOURNAMENT IN REVIEW:
RULLAN GOJU “EXTRAORDINARY” TOURNAMENT- June5, 2011
Written by Franklin Puello
Martialforce.com
Online Magazine
Domo Arigato. My name is Franklin Puello and I have been a Student and practitioner of The Martial Arts since 1974 when I started training with the Late Grand Master Fred Miller. During my initiation and introduction into the world of The Martial Arts and the Family of Goju practitioners, I was fortunate to meet and be instructed to watch and learn from many great Martial Artists, specifically one by the name of Archie Rullan. I soon learned that Archie Rullan was an avid practitioner in the Goju Ryu System from the Grand Master Peter Urban’s U.S.A Goju, via Hanshi Anthony Lau. From the First time I was introduced I learned Archie Rullan was a dedicated goju man, and when I attended one of his Annual “Cup” Tournaments I also learned he was an organized leader directing the Tournaments without a hitch.
On June 5th 2011, I attended THE 6TH ANNUAL NYC CHALLENGE- Rullan Goju Karate Tournament and was once again very impressed; an “EXTRAORDINARY” event. This Tournament was essentially directed by Grand Master Archie Rullan’s sons Masters John, Robert, Francisco Cabrera, Alfred Hinds, but Grand Master Archie Rullan was present and very active behind the scenes coordinating the welcoming of competitors and Guest Black Belts, as well as Registration, and operational detail for the smooth running of the Tournament. John, Robert, Francisco and Alfred were witnessed running operational details and coordinating every detail on the floor from the registration process to the designation of competition rings, Divisions, Chief Referees and Arbitrators, and the Black Belt Meeting re: Rules and Regulations for operations and safety.
The main reason for this MARTIALFORCE.COM Magazine coverage is a fact that not only astonished me, but that elevated my spirit, as well as all the other Black Belts forming the Panel, carrying me to unbelievable high not only lasting throughout the Tournament but still to this day 6/7/11 pumping adrenaline through my body. At the onset of the Tournament, I was summoned inside and required to gather around a group of Black Belts and go to a specifically designated Ring. Once gathered, was informed we were to start the Tournament with the participants entering competition in Kata and Kumite. In addition, we learned that the Group of competitors was afflicted by various disabilities. After a quick organization of the competitors and brief instructions, the Black Belt panel instructed the participants to come up when called, state their Name and name of the Kata. As difficult as this simple task is at times for the regular Martial Artist, the fact that the competitor in this “Extraordinary Division” were able to smoothly and with the execution of perfect Reishiki introduce themselves and name the Kata to be performed was an outstanding performance. The Kata Performance of these competitors was so good that the lowest score given was… Ahh It did not matter then, does not matter now, the point is that these Extraordinary Martial Artists, demonstrated the Heart of Lions in their enthusiastic and spirited performance. All their performances were culminated by Bone Chilling KIAI.
The large gathering of spectators rewarded each competitor with thunderous standing ovations, and applauds. Each competitor appeared very appreciative of the ovations and very pleased with their performance.
To the spectators’ surprise, the demonstration was not over. The Extraordinary competitors were gathered to start the selection and pairing for Kumite (fighting). The Kumite was very spirited and controlled. Their techniques were basic, but very well executed with control, speed and power.
At the end of the Kumite competition, and until today, my heart is still racing wildly with pleasure and satisfaction to have witnessed The Lord’s Blessings on every single participant and the Instructors and parents.
At the trophy Award ceremony, I took the opportunity to shake hand and hug Master Lou Ferrer as these Extraordinary Martial Artists’ Teacher. I personally congratulated, and thanked him for the great mainstreaming work he was performing and how rewarding this opportunity was for the Audience and the Judging panel. All of the participants jubilantly gathered around Master Ferrer and I and expressed their enthusiasm in the Martial Arts participation and Tournament competition, as well as the prospect of being mainstreamed into the regular Divisions in future Tournaments.
After this experience, I felt that Nothing else mattered or could go wrong. I was running High.
The remainder of the tournament went as expected with spirited competition throughout all the Divisions from the Pewees, Females and to the Senior Black Belts; a Great Demonstration by Grand Master Felix Vasquez; The Honoring of Great Martial Artists and their contributions to the Martial Arts and Community: Awarded Guests:
KYOSHI CHESTER MILLER,
FOR GRAND MASTER FRED MILLER- In Memoriam.
To a Grand Champion, and for his contributions to The Martial Arts on the
East Coast, Professional Karate, and Community. Presented to his brother,
Chester Miller, Kyoshi, and the Miller Family. I accepted the award on
behalf of Chester and Fred Miller. Chester Miller couldn't attend because of
a prior commitment.
SHIHAN GRANT CAMPBELL
MASTER KEVIN THOMPSON
MASTER MYCHAL "LOOK UP" SLEDGE
GRAND MASTER RENO MORALES
SOKE WILLIAM MALLORY
GRAND MASTER ROGER CLARK
SHIHAN TRACY SEYMOUR
SENSEI JOHN LIBUTTI
The culmination of the
Tournament competition for all the divisions: their respective Grand
Championship competition was Grand and with plenty action and excitement,
including the newly established separate Peewee and Junior Kata Grand
Championships.
Great appreciation and Great Respect to the Rullan Goju Ryu Family for
orchestrating this Classy Event, operationally perfect execution, and
specially for showcasing the “Extraordinary Division”.
Domo Arigato
