WOW! Results from California State Championships

What an exciting time we had at the USKA California State Championships!

It was a bittersweet time for me personally, since last year at States was the only time my older brother had ever been at a tournament. He had hobbled in on his cane to cheer on his wife, Joan, as she took a State Championship in kata and placed 2nd in sparring. This year we missed Sam's presence so much. He would have been immensely proud of his son Brendan (whom I've taken to calling "Samurai boy") and his daughter Emily. Brendan placed 3rd in weapons with his sword kata, and Emily placed 2nd in open hand kata, with a beautiful kung fu form. Joan was no slouch either; she placed well in both kata and weapons.

Judging kept me busy, but I was able to keep up with some of my students, catching glimpses of them competing or, at the very least, hearing their names announced.

Five Cities Keichu-Do returned with three significant State Championships. Philip Wahl took one in kata---in a large, highly competitive division---and Miss Miriam also took one in kata, while Mr. Benjamin won his championship in weapons.

The friendly rivalry between Mr. Benjamin and Michael Hickman (from the Santa Maria dojo) provided some of the tournament's suspense. Mr. Benjamin beat out Michael in weapons, only to tie with him for first in open hand kata. Both of them went on to perform a tie-breaker, which had to be a completely different kata than they had just performed, and the final judgement was 3 to 2 votes in favor of Michael.

Our results:

Philip Wahl - 1st in kata, 2nd in weapons
Matthew Miller - 4th in kata
Daniel Prewett - 2nd in kata, 2nd in sparring
Benjamin Prewett - 1st in weapons, 2nd in kata, 4th in sparring
Miriam Prewett - 2nd in weapons, 1st in kata, 1st in sparring
Sensei Prewett - 2nd in weapons, 2nd in kata, 3rd in sparring

This year's tournament featured some exciting exhibitions and demos at the beginning, but next year's promises to be even better. The tournament promoters are looking for a better location, and planning for two days of competition, with special festivities to honor Maria Evans-Colgan for her 40 years of training in the martial arts. So, everyone---that gives you a year to get ready!