2009 New England Regional Championships
The Fall New England Regional APTSDF Dan Shim Sa took place on Friday, October 9th at the Southbury Academy of Karate in picturesque Southbury, Connecticut. The Regional Championships proceeded the very next day with participant ranks ranging from tiny tigers and pee wees all the way to senior black belts. Both events took place with high expectations which were both met and exceeded in a seamless fashion.
Friday evening’s regional Black Belt test consisted of 14 candidates testing for their Cho Dan (1st degree), and 2 candidates testing for their E Dan (2nd degree) Black Belt rank. Testing was very successful and inspiring. Special congratulations go out to Kristen Mathew of Southington Martial Arts and to Deborah Winograd of the Southbury Academy of Karate for attaining the honor of “best of test” for children and adults respectively. The testing panel consisted of 8 Federation Masters including Grandmaster St. James and Senior Master Jett, both making the journey here from Georgia just in time to see the changing of the leaves in New England.
The Regional Championships started early Saturday morning with our judge’s meeting and the Black Belt competition. Opening ceremonies began promptly at 11 a.m. with our traditional saluting in and a singing of the national anthem. Several demonstrations were displayed for our audience and our tournament participants by our various schools. These were as always very well received by all. The highlight of the opening ceremonies was the promotion by Kwan Jang Nim St. James of 3 students to the rank of Sah Dan (4th degree Black Belt): Mr. Trevor Becker, Mr. Mark Farquharson, and Dr. Kristan Meetze. The color belt competition then ensued with full emotion and talent by our participants. A more streamlined function would be hard to come by. Spectators were treated to an entertaining and spectacular event. Overall championship cups for women and men went to Dr. Kristan Meetze of Cambridge Tang Soo Do and to Mr. Trevor Becker of the Southbury Academy of Karate.Over the course of the Regional Championships, it was repeatedly stressed that it is more important to overcome fears and hurdles than it is to win medals or trophies, and that all who participate and give an all out effort are victorious. A heartfelt congratulations goes out to all of our participants and their families, and to all of those who helped in making this grand function a huge success.
Tang Soo!!
Submitted by Dr. Anil Mathew - Cho Dan
Southington Martial Arts