CHALLENGE MATCHES

Mr. Richard Bauer’s father shared this story with me. Richard competed in the Challenge Matches.

On his way to the Challenge Matches, Richard’s father said to him, “Fight hard Richard so you win that trophy. Young Mr. Bauer replied, “Dad, karate is not about winning a trophy it is about bringing peace to the world”. Richard Bauer is an eight year old Jr. Blue Belt. His statement is a representation of our Martial Arts community. I could not be more proud.

We had a small but most spirited representation for the Challenge Matches. All the fights were close. And all could have gone either way.

CHALLENGE MATCH WINNERS
Richard Bauer Frank Smogoleski Megan Lappe Megan Kuhn


Richard Bauer (Blue Belt 8) vs. Colton McDonnell (Purple Belt 9)
This match went into overtime. Mr. Bauer was a bit bigger than Mr. McDonnell. In the over time Mr. McDonnell should have moved more, but being the warrior he is, he squared of toe to toe with Mr. Bauer and traded punches.

Frank Smogoleske (Orange Belt 8) vs. Ryan Lappe (Green Belt 8)
Great fight. Mr. Smogoleski started the match by closing. Mr. Lappe countered with a hard right cross to the head. Mr. Smogoleski came right back with his own right counter. The prompted the referee, Sensei Paquette, to give them a warning about controlled technique to the head. Frank had a three point handicap, because of Ryan’s rank, but it still was a close fight, and a very competitive one.

The match got so spirited that we had to incorporate a new rule in sparring class. “No head contact below Purple Belt.” Orange Belts can make controlled body contact but only focus to the head. We call it the “Frank Smogoleski Rule”

Joe Ochowicz (Blue Belt 10) vs. Sam Aspenwall (Orange Belt 10)
The best technical fight of the night. It reminded me of the classic Frazer and Ali fights. Mr. Aspenwall was on his toes moving and using the ring. Mr. Ochowicz kept moving forward, closing. Sam would throw techniques from his moving stance, and Joe would block and counter punch. Excellent ring generalship on both parts.

Megan Lappe (Green Belt 10) vs. Kylie Brennan (Blue Belt 8)
The closest fight of the night. It went all three rounds, and overtime. Two warrior princesses giving it all they had. Ms. Brennan took the match on short notice, and did a heck of a job against a very spirited and intense Ms. Lappe.

Megan Kuhn (Brown 13 ) vs. C.J. Caponi (Brown 13)
Very clean technique on both fighter’s part. Ms. Kuhn’s first opponent had to cancel because of a pulled hamstring muscle, so CJ took the fight with one day’s notice. What Warrior Spirit. He didn’t win the match, but his spirit speaks for itself.

I want to give the students plenty of notice for the next Challenge Matches so they can plan their schedules. The next Sparring Challenge Matches will be Friday, February 13th, 2009. The next Jui Jitsu Challenge Matches will be Friday, March 27th. Challenge Matches are very helpful to a student’s develop as a Martial Artist. Plus all the proceeds go to our non-profit program, “Operation Kick-Start” which grants scholarship to deserving students who, otherwise, could not afford our program.