Hey gang,

This past weekend the Marriott Hotel ballroom in Mt Laurel NJ was
the location of the NAFMA World Championships. Vying for the coveted
SuperBowl Styled Gold rings in martial arts events of Weapons forms,
Empty Handforms, Padded stick sparring and Open style point fighting
were teams from Canada, Puerto Rico and the USA. Teams from Germany,
Trinidad and Gyuana dropped out at the last minute with much
disapointment. The two day event commenced with a wonderful welcome
speech from Shannon Boggan, who inturn introduced the athletes from
the competing teams. From there came the ceremonial sword mat cutting
ceremony performed by Dr. John Lee of the International Traders
Group, which then cued the LionDance, performed by Bucks County
LionDance team that rounded out the opening festivities.

Not only were the Gold rings at stake in head to head competition
for individual athletes but the Team World Championship cup, which
would be won by the team with most points earned through the placings
of the athletes in their respective divisions and age cateogories at
the end of the competition. Team Canada demonstrated early on that
they would be the biggest threat to take home the World Championship
cup from last year's winner Team USA by bringing a very talented team
in impressive numbers. No event could be taken for granted by TeamUSA
when Team Canada would sometimes come in, cleanly sweep and win a
division and accumulate precious points. Representing TeamUSA were
members from our own group, Kent Roberts (Boys 13-14yrs Weapons-
silver, Handforms, Stick sparring-Bronze and Pointfighting) (Saboto
Trent Mens 35-over Handforms, Stick sparring-silver and point
fighting) and Ben Outlaw (Mens 35-over handforms, stickfighting-Gold
and pointfighting-Bronze)

When the last division was over and the final points were tallied
TeamUSA retained the WorldChampionship cup for one more year.
Following the Tournament was an evening of Dance music, pizza/light
fare and celebration of all of the athletes, coaches, parents and
friends. The next NAFMA World Championships will be held in 2009 in
Orlando Florida at Disney World!

Cheers!

Mel