Next up was Mr. Sibley in the adult men’s color belt ring, Mr. Sibley placed 3rd in Songahm forms after a 5 way tie breaker, and 1st in Songahm Weapons.  In the last event of the day for our schools competitors, Mrs. Powell a 3rd degree black belt, took 3rd place in Songahm Forms.  Then after 3 hard fought sparring matches Mrs. Powell won 1st place in Sparring in her division.

The day fell to the close after that with the last of Team Performance members packing and preparing to leave, closing ceremonies brought the end to the 2010 Songahm World Championships.  But remembering that this means the new Tournament session is underway, and the excitement and new friends that we will meet along the way.

Kameron Anderson, took 3rd Place in Songahm (traditional) Weapons and won 2nd place in Sparring, after a very intense and close sparring match.  Also competing was Ryan Spaulding, in his first Worlds as a Black Belt, while I was unable to watch his performances, it was reported that he did a great job and took competitor awards in Forms and Weapons for his boys age and division. Tori Sibley took 4th in Weapons after loosing a 3rd place tie breaker, and then won 3rd place in Sparring.

In the afternoon session Ms. Brittney Johnson a 2nd degree black belt, won 1st place in Sparring for the Girls 14 to 16 age division.  Mrs. Powell and Mr. Webb competed in Songahm weapons, as of this posting I am awaiting their results.

Mr. Sibley finished the afternoon, winning 1st place in Creative Forms, 2nd place in Creative Weapons, 2nd place in XMA Forms, and 1st place in XMA weapons.  Mr. Sibley competed in the ATA’s new Black Dobak (gi) for XMA and Creative competitors.

In Sparring Mrs. Powell, Ms. Johnson, and Mr. Vialdores each competed in there divisions Top Ten Sparring.  Mrs. Powell Made and excellent showing placing 3rd in the World for her division. While Ms. Brittney Johnson fought to the final rounds of sparring placing 2nd in the World for her respective division.  Meanwhile across the floor the quite Mr. Ali Vialdores was battling to the final round, in a awesome showing Mr. Vialdores made his School, Instructor and Family proud, winning the World Championship in Sparring for 1st degree black belts, men 30 – 39.  Mr. Vialdores was overwhemled with joy and accomplishemnt and he recieved his World Title Ribbon, and Medalion.

It was back to hotels for a quick change and then to the 2010 Opening Ceremony & Masters Ceremony held in the Verizon Arena.  What a show it was, to check out reboadcasts of the show go to www.ataondemand.com

During the break the Sibley’s and the Johnson’s took a Lunch trip to Little Rocks #1 Family Dinner the Purple Cow, for a quick lunch and Purple Cow shakes an ice cream floats.

The 2010 Songahm World Championships opens shortly afterward with thousands of competitors and fans from around he globe from the ATA, WTTU, and STF in attendance. Performance Martial Arts Academy’s Mr. Webb, Mrs. Powell, and Ms. Brittney Johnson each competed in the top ten tournament today in Songahm (traditional) Weapons.

Mr. Webb took his competitors by storm with and incredible 4th degree Jahng Bong  (bo staff) form.  With scores of 9.8, 9.8, 9.9 the other competitors were feeling the pressue, showning just why he is a previous World Champion.  Alas as the final competitor took to the floor he steped up to the plate and pressure and was issued a 9.8, 9.9, 9.9.  Mr. Webb may have took 2nd place on this day, but as Ms. Tori stated ‘You are always our World Champion.

Mrs. Powell as had a impressive display in her 3rd degree Jahng Bong form, but with several other seasoned world champions the competition was more than fierce. Mrs. Powell graciously took 4th place, and with her infinite wisdom reminded us we all have our good days and great days, and that as every student is taught to compete is to win.

Ms. Johnson had a very good Top Ten showing, and as many stated thru out the day, okay your in the Top Ten of the World for your division, even if you don’t take 1st place, whom else can say they are Top Ten in the world!

Each of these Team Performance leaders will compete again tomorrow, as well as being joined by Mr. Ali Vialdores whom will be competing in Top Ten Sparring.

Wish them luck!!!

Trad Forms – Sparring – Weapons 2010 Worlds
Xtreme Forms – Weapons 2010 Worlds
Creative Forms – Weapons 2010 Worlds

Trad Forms – Sparring Judging Assignments
Trad Weapons Judging Assigments

She-hahp (tournaments) are controlled competitive environments that allow practitioners to display and improve their skills in a safe environment. Although some may think it is all about “who is better”, that is only a part of their purpose in Songahm Taekwondo.

In general, there are basically two types of tournaments:
1. Winning a trophy at any cost, while exclaiming victory and scorning defeat
2. Competing with a good attitude (possibly winning a trophy) and learning under ideal conditions

The second is what we in Songahm Taekwondo try to achieve!

Remember that tournaments are not just for a trophy. They allow our members to meet new people, make new friends, put nerves to the test, and display skills. By focusing on these purposes, it is very possible to be happy whether one wins or loses. Most people think that the reward at a tournament is the trophy. By eliminating this idea, we eliminate the unnecessary devastation of leaving without a trophy.

In reality, competition is not just in a ring. Students of Songahm Taekwondo, as well as all other human beings, are competing with self on a daily basis. We compete with our body to lose weight. We compete with our mind to retain knowledge, and we compete with our intellect on our spiritual convictions. Even in the case of a match against an opponent, we are not only competing against that person’s skill, but also against ourselves to the the absolute best that we can. Therefore, tournaments are a great opportunity for increasing skills as well as boosting confidence. And, just as importantly, it is possible to learn self control over a temper, or become motivated to react positively instead of negatively to outcomes one does not desire.

For all these reasons and more, she-hahp (tournaments) are a vital part of Songahm Taekwondo, and one of the most dynamic, fun aspects of our art.

The results of the Augusta tournament are:

4th and 5th Degree Black Belt Division:
Mark Webb – placed 2nd in Forms, Weapons, and Sparring

2nd and 3rd Degree Black Belt Division:
Jennifer Powell – placed 2nd in Forms, and 1st place in Weapons and Sparring
Jennifer Hardy – placed 3rd in Forms ,Weapons, and Sparring
Brittany Johnson – placed 1st in Weapons and Sparring

Color Belt Division:
Glen Sibley – placed 2nd in Forms, 1st in Weapons, and 3rd in Sparring
Tori Sibley – placed 3rd in Forms and Sparring, 2nd place in Weapons

The results are as follows:
2nd and 3rd Degree Black Belt Division
Jennifer Powell – 4th place in the Forms competition
Jennifer Hardy – 3rd place in Weapons and Sparring

Color Belt Division
Tori Sibley – 4th place in Weapons
Glen Sibley – 1st place in XMA Forms, XMA Weapons, Traditional Weapons competition; 2nd place in Creative Forms, Creative Weapons, and Traditional Forms competition

Pictured left to right:  Jennifer Hardy, Glen Sibley, Tori Sibley, and Jennifer Powell

Here are the results:
4th and 5th Degree Black Belt Division
Mark Webb – Triple Crown Victory,  1st place in Forms, Weapons,and Sparring

2nd and 3rd Degree Black Belt Division
Jennifer Powell – Triple Crown Victory,  1st place in Forms, Weapons,and Sparring
Jennifer Hardy – 2nd place in Forms, 1st place in Weapons, and 3rd place in Sparring
Brittany Johnson – Triple Crown Victory,  1st place in Forms, Weapons,and Sparring

1st Degree Black Belt Division
Ali Vialdores – 3rd place in Forms, 1st place in Sparring

Color Belt Division
Glen Sibley – Triple Crown Victory,  1st place in Forms, Weapons,and Sparring
Kameron Anderson – 1st place in Forms and Sparring, 2nd place in Weapons
Tori Sibley – 2nd place in Forms, Weapons, and Sparring
Paige Giddens – 1st place in Sparring

The results are as follows:
Jennifer Hardy – 2nd place in Forms, 1st place in Weapons for the Women’s 2nd and 3rd Degree Black Belt Division.

Tori Sibley – 2nd place in Forms, 1st place in Weapons, 2nd place in Sparring for the Girl’s Color Belt Division.

Glen Sibley – 2nd place in Forms, 1st place in Weapons for the Men’s Color Belt Division.

Then All enjoyed the Family Mardi Gras Parade in Lafayette, followed by the Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans on Sunday afternoon.

Pictured left to right:  Jennifer Hardy, Tori Sibley, Chief Instructor Mitchell Church, and Glen Sibley.