Hey Gang,

I just want to say that all the hard work our Sport Karate Sparring
Team from the Bristol Pa Branch has been putting in these last few
weeks since the trip to Ohio really paid off. Today at the Team trials
we walked into a battle when we thought maybe it would be would a
reasonably easy time trying out for positions for the National team.
Beleive me when I say nothing was given to us and we had to fight
tooth and nail for every point awarded us and them some!!! Heavy
hitters from as far as Buffalo NY, Carlisle Ohio, Easton Pa and
Newark, North Jersey came down to vie for positions on this team and
the fur was flying! Not only were our opponants tough but the judging
was a challenge as well with some inconsistant calls to contend with
but it seemed to improve later when they got warmed to the rules. Our
guys shined in the padded stick sparring division especially! No
member failed to impress in their matches! I cringe at the thought of
it ever getting out that the team has only been padded stick sparring
since mid Aug yet Members Ben Outlaw, Todd Grahm won their divisions
and Shannon Boggan took a hard fought 2nd to Todd. I myself settled
for 3rd. Our team competed and won against competitors whom
stickfighting is supposed to be their primary specialty art! Yet
everyone from the audience consistantly commented on what a show we
put on. Ben was matched against the NAFMA 06 National champion and
Ben won in impressive form for 35 yrs and up div. The Showdown
between Todd and Shannon brought the house down for 1st and 2nd place
positons in the 18-34 yr category! Both were amazing fighting up to
this moment. Did I fail to mention that this was the first time they
every competed in this divsion and only been training in it for
little better than 2 weeks? The final outcome was that all 5 of us
achieved our goal and won positions on TEAM USA. Ben, Todd, Shannon
and myself will represent the Team in Padded Stick Sparring. Shannon
and Sabato will represent Team USA in point karate sparring. I'm a
veteran of many countless martial arts competitions but this one is
certainly unique in objective which made today's experience that much
more gratifying than simply bringing home a trophy or even a little
cash prize.

Cheers!

Mel