Senior Division

Individual Kumite Competition

Green Belt (68 kg. - above) Category

Champion - Khrystoper Mark Silang - Al Aoun Team

1st Runner-up - Noel Torlao - Xenel Team

2nd Runner-up - Dexter Magbuhos - Al Aoun Team

Winners - 4th Inter-SSKI Karate Tournament

Senior Division

Team Kumite Competition

Black Belt - Open Weight Category

Champion - Bhoy Cielo / Steve Rivero / Angel Palaypayon

1st Runner-up - Jun Loyola / Ben Micu, Jr./ Samuel Nacario

2nd Runner-up - Nestor Rizardo / Ruben Cabigas / Cris Ortiz

Winners - 4th Inter-SSKI Karate Tournament

Senior Division

Individual Kumite Competition

Black Belt - Open Weight Category

Champion - Bhoy Cielo Sensei - Power Punch

1st Runner-up - Jun Loyola Sensei - Xenel Team

2nd Runner-up - Samuel Nacario Sensei - Xenel Team

Winners - 4th Inter-SSKI Karate Tournament

Senior Division

Individual Kata Competition

Black Belt Category

Champion - Bhoy Cielo Sensei - Power Punch

1st Runner-up - Jun Loyola Sensei - Xenel Team

2nd Runner-up - Nestor Rizardo Sensei - FAME Team

Winners - 4th Inter-SSKI Karate Tournament

Senior Division

Individual Kumite Competition

Brown Belt - Open Weight Category

Champion - Benny Lazarte - Al Aoun Team

1st Runner-up - Danilo Iglesia - Al Aoun Team

2nd Runner-up - Al Debalucos - Xenel Team

Winners - 4th Inter-SSKI Karate Tournament

Senior Division

Individual Kumite Competition

Green Belt (67 kg. - below) Category

Champion - Joeid Gonzales - FAME Team

1st Runner-up - Jun Tillama - Power Punch Team

2nd Runner-up - Granny Gose - Sunbulah Team

Winners - 4th Inter-SSKI Karate Tournament

Senior Division

Individual Kata Competition

Green Belt Category

Champion - Dexter Magbuhos - Al Aoun Team

1st Runner-up - Joeid Gonzales - FAME Team

2nd Runner-up - Celso Balala - Sunbulah Team

Winners - 4th Inter-SSKI Karate Tournament

Junior Girls Division

Individual Kumite Competition

White - Green Belt Category

Champion - Leanne Marie Loyola - Xenel Team

1st Runner-up - Zephania Padua - FAME Team

2nd Runner-up - Krizia Dimatulac - FAME Team

3rd Runner-up - Julianne Rey Del Rosario - FAME Team

4th Runner-up - Gwyneth Silvestre - FAME Team

Winners - 4th Inter-SSKI Karate Tournament

Junior Boys Division

Individual Kumite Competition

Yellow - Orange Belt -Level 2 Category

Champion - Julius Ben Micu - Xenel Team

1st Runner-up - Clarence Gonzales - FAME Team

2nd Runner-up - Jabez Sabangan - FAME Team

3rd Runner-up - Kemuel Santiago - FAME Team

Winners - 4th Inter-SSKI Karate Tournament

Junior Boys Division

Individual Kumite Competition

White Belt - Level I Category

Champion - Fawaz Asharaf - Xenel Team

1st Runner-up - Alvin George - Xenel Team

2nd Runner-up - Nived Krishna - Xenel Team

Winners - 4th Inter-SSKI Karate Tournament

4th Inter-SSKI Karate Tournament

"Fight for a Cause 2010"

Sunbulah Compound, Phase I, Industrial Area,

Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

November 26, 2010

Junior Girls Division

Individual Kata Competition

Yellow - Green Belt Category

Champion - Leanne Marie Loyola - Xenel Team

1st Runner-up - Gwyneth Silvestre - FAME Team

2nd Runner-up - Zephania Padua - FAME Team

3rd Runner-up - Julianne Rey Del Rosario - FAME Team

Winners - 4th Inter-SSKI Karate Tournament

4th Inter-SSKI Karate Tournament

"Fight for a Cause 2010"

Sunbulah Compound, Phase I, Industrial Area

Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

November 26, 2010

Junior Boys Division

Individual Kata Competition

White - Orange Belt Category

Champion - Jabez Sabangan - FAME Team

1st Runner-up - Kemuel Santiago - FAME Team

2nd Runner-up - Clarence Gonzales - FAME Team

4th Inter-SSKI Karate Tournament

4th Inter-SSKI Karate Tournament

"Fight for a Cause 2010"

by Ben Micu, Jr. Sesnei & Jun Loyola Sensei

The Sphinx Shoto-kan Karate-do International (SSKI) headed by its ME President, Romeo Rivero Sensei, successfully conducted its 4th inter-karate tournament at the Sunbulah Compound last Nov. 26, 2010. The event was organized and participated in by various SSKI chapters namely; Xenel Team of Jun Loyola Sensei, Al Aoun of Sonny Alvarez Sensei, Fame of Nestor Rizardo Sensei, Sunbulah Team of Romy Rivero Sensei, Power Punch of Bhoy Cielo Sensei and Bahara Team of Vani Gasmenia Sensei, among others.

Just like in previous inter-tournament that SSKI organized, the event was a fund raising activity the recipient of wich was a former SSKI instructor who resigned from his job just to be with his brain cancer stricken grand-daughter in the Philippines. This event had the approval from its founding President, Master Eddie V. Rama, a certified 7th Dan Black belter, now based in Canada, who in fact called by phone and spoke to all the black belts present during the tournament.

Manwhile, in the absence of sponsors, SSKI had to rely on the entry fees collected from participants in both the Kata and Kumite events. All black belts, whether a participant or not had shelled a minimum amount as a show of support to a comrade who is in dire financial need not to mention the agony of losing a young loved one (the beneficiary died long before the tournament begun). Upon learning ot this development, SSKI officers and members were more than motivated to proceed with the tournament, inviting two (2) other Club instructors, Cesar Bencito Renshi of Phil, Union of Martial Arts (PUMA) and Nonoy Gacola Renshi of Wildcat Karate Club, who acted as judges in the Kata Black belt Division, and finally as referee/judge in the Black belt Individual and Team Kumite composed of 3 Black belts per team.

In summary, SSKI-Xenel Team is a runaway winner in the Boys & Girls Division by producing 4 Champions,, courtesy of Leanne Marie Loyola, who won both in the Kata and Kumite events and one-a-piece from Julius Ben Micu & Fawaz Ashraf, along with a 2nd and 3rd place finishes. SSKI-Fame Team on the other hand, took home 1 Championship trophy thru Jabez Sabangan, who thrilled the crowd with his fine rendition of Heian Nidan, plus 4 medals each for 2nd and 3rd places, respectively.

The Senior Division was a fight for first place with SSKI-Al Aoun & SSKI-Power Punch having an identical 3-1 medal tally for Champion & 2nd places but the former had one 3rd place finish against none by the latter. SSKI-Power Punch's tremendous Championship medal haul was made possible thru the efforts of Bhoy Cielo Sensei who won in the Kata and Individual Kumite events aside from steering his team to Championship by defeating the SSKI-Xenel's team of Senseis Jun Loyola, Ben Micu, Jr. & Samuel Nacario, Jr. by a cumulative one point edge in the Black belt Team Kumite finals. Fame Team was 3rd (1-1-2), followed by Xenel Team (0-4-2), Sunbulah Team for 5th Place (0-0-2) and Bahara Team, in the last place with no medal to show.

My Road to the Different Competitions and Propagations

I'm Jimmy Galez II, eldest son of Master Jimmy B. Galez and Vice President of World Empire of Sphinx Martial Arts and Arnis 63 Generals Federation International.

In my early age of 6, I started training Sphinx Kinaadman in Iloilo City of the Sphinx Central Gym under the tutorship of my father. During that time, Sphinx is very popular in the Philippines. I kept on developing the fundamentals of Sphinx Art for that is the most important part of training. Even in the deep meditation of my father in the caves and mountains, I was there and continued practicing the Kinaadman Way of Sphinx, also known as the poison hand, the dynamic system and purification of energy of the body in order to have a good and quick reaction and to understand the art.

Many years passed by, I wanted to test my skills by involving in the competition. My first competition was in Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat, part of Mindanao Island here in the Philippines. That competition was open age competition and full contact knock out system non armor competition hosted by the Tang So Do Organization. I won the first and second matches but for the third match I was defeated by an unknown Cotabato player, a Major in the Arm Forces of the Philippines by one point score. In my early age I learned to adopt other rules or competition rules in order to win.

My father also trained me in the art of Arnis De Mano which is 63 Generals. This art of cane have 63 styles and per style had 12 defenses, 12 offenses and 12 locks. The other system that my father taught me was combat, jujitsu and wrestling. My father wanted me to follow his foot steps in the Martial Arts world to prepare for furure leadership in the federation. From time to time he gave me lectures in the system of the art.

One day my father decided to have a deep meditation in the mountain of Mount Banahaw for how many years. He did not give information to all members of the clan in order to avoid disturbance. The effect of that, the clan stopped propagating the art just because they did not have any communication with the founder and father of the clan. Some of the members kept on teaching the art in the Philippines and around the globe. Some of them affiliated with the other Federations to have access in competitions.

During our conversation, my father told me that I must prove to him and to myself that I can manage the Federation by myself. He already trained me the art of Bugna and Kinaadman and at the same time arnis 63 Generals. He founded the Federation by his own blood by propagating entire Philippines. The seniors of the clan will not respect me if I did not prove myself in the field of martial arts.

In 1986 I was involved again in the Karate competition at Tacurong City sponsored by the Kung Fu Karato Organization a non armor competition knockout system. I wanted to prove myself in that competition that's why I did have a daily training of 3 hours every morning and 2 hours in the evening. The out come of that competition was that I was the champion. My record from 1st fight to championship was all knockouts. From there, I kept on fighting in any karate competition in the Island of Mindanao and in Manila. For having a daily training and perfection of movements and techniques, I was undefeated. I retired in full contact competition in 1993 to give chance to the other martial artist and players.

I also ventured in the field of Arnis De Mano. Using my skills in 63 Generals, I has been a champion and lecturer in Mindanao and Panay Island.

In 1995 when Taekwondo entered in Mindanao Island I was the first Taekwondo player who qualified to play in the National Taekwondo Competition in Palarong Pambansa Colleges Level. In that competition, I luckily won and fought for a championship match against Roberto Cruz, a undefeated SEA games champion for 5 successive years. Roberto Cruz is standing knock out but due to my lack of knowledge in Taekwondo system, I was beaten and lost to Roberto Cruz by 2 points.

When I went back to my home town I was the 1st propagator and organizer of Taekwondo in the Island of Mindanao. I kept on playing Taekwondo competitions and being always a local and National Taekwondo champion, I was selected to be part of the National Taekwondo Team that played in Thailand.

I thought my father will be happy for his son is one of the best players in Taekwondo competition in the Philippines, but he got angry just because I should present the art of the clan not as a Taekwondo artist. Due to that reaction of the clan, I stop playing and propagating Taekwondo in our area.

In the year 2004 I ventured and involved in the Philippine Karatedo Federation (PKF) for the Sphinx is the co-Founder of Philippine Karate Association (PKA). Base on my competition performance, I was selected as Karatedo Team to represent Philippines in SEA Games and international games. Due to my contribution to the martial arts world and achievements, I was elected as Regional Director in the Philippine Karatedo Federation for Region 12 under the name of the Philippine Olympic Committee, and was also selected one of the National Technical officials of the PKF.

The clans see that I have a strong determination and proved myself worth to become a leader who can be trusted based on the principles taught by my father. The Sphinx clan and the Sphinx council elected me and approved by my father as a life time Vice President of the World Empire of Sphinx Martial Arts, Kick Arnis and Arnis 63 Generals Federation International, second in command to the founder and father of Sphinx Martial Arts. During my road to the competition in cities and provinces here in the Philippines, I found my lost Sphinx brothers and sisters. From Iloiol and Manila City I guided them and assisted them to have communications with the Sphinx Central Office in order to update their Sphinx knowledge for new Sphinx system. Sphinx Iloilo, Mindanao, Manila and around the globe kept on expanding the propagation and me as Sphinx Vice President kept on conducting seminars to Department of Education, Local Government Units and to all Sphinx family as part of the massive propagation.

All international Sphinx members are now communicating with Sphinx Central Office for update of the art. We do have one aim; to promote the art and to develop good camaraderie's with other Federations.

SPHINX ART

By: Jimmy Galez II
Sphinx Vice President
Philippines - Headquarters


SPHINX ART

SPHINX is an angel guardian of the supreme self. The ART is the union of the mind and body for the perfection of soul. It is a physical and spiritual exercise, a method, a path, a meditation and mastery of martial art.

The aim of Sphinx is unity in earthly life. Its sets our physical, mental exercise that bring harmony of the mind and body in union with the supreme self.

Thru Sphinx the third eye is open and the truth of universe is known. The doctrine of love, charity and compassion brings enlightenment to every being. Those who practice Sphinx acquire discipline a subtle understanding of truth of one self.

The training is supreme because it involves all the essential elements of perfection, the master call this art.

The father and the founder of Sphinx called MASTER, instructors are called either LAKAN, RAJAH GUNG-AN and SULTAN. Women experts are called DAYANG-DAYANG and RAHANI.

This art followed the noble path of the ancient hermitage system which trained the mind of body with the union with nature. Sphinx is a LUTAO MARTIAL ARTS which was handed down in secret order from one generation to another. This art is the hermit lineage of the GALEZ CLAN.

The father of the old Lutao Art was a hermit ancestor of Master Jimmy B. Galez. The art was lethal and the doctrine was taught in secret because the art is the key to mastery of universal forces. Guros's practice in close doors like caves or in any secret places in order to conceal the techniques from the outsiders. Not all the members of the clan were taught but only those who qualified for the order. Discipline was strict, mental training were raged and martial arts sparring were not controlled.

Master was expert in both armed and unarmed combats. Arnis De Mano was also part of the training, the technique of which was confined to the use of sticks, staff, spear and bolos. Arnis 63 Generals have 63 styles and per style we do have 12 strikes, 12 defenses and 12 locks. Some secret style of 63 Generals called LINGWAHE style or what we called a language of Arnis De Mano.

Sphinx used to play PASAPAR, a fight with a real bolo coming from any direction and non- controlled to develop confidence and kick arnis, a combination of Karate and Arnis De Mano where you can kick, sweep, punch and lock you opponent just like Filipino warriors in the early late century.

SSKI Senior Division Overall Champion

Sphinx Shoto-kan Karate-do International

Senior Division Overall Champion

4-Champions / 2-1st Runner Up / 1-2nd Runner Up.

Bhoy Cielo Sensei - Kumite - Blackbelt Heavy Weight Division - Champion

Al Debalucos - Kumite - Brownbelt Heavy Weight Division - Champion

Danny Iglesia - Kumite - Greenbelt Heavy Weight Division - Champion

Eduardo Caones - Kumite - Greenbelt Light Weight Division - Champion

Nestor Rizardo Sensei - Kumite - Blackbelt Heavy Weight Division - 1st Runner Up

Guru Dev Danuwar - Kumite - Greenbelt Light Weight Division - 1st Runner Up

Andres Balane - Kumite - Greenbelt Light Weight Division - 2nd Runner Up

SSKI TOURNAMENTS ACHIEVEMENT

Source: Jun Loyola Sensei

SPHINX SHOTO-KAN KARATE-DO INTERNATIONAL
TOURNAMENTS ACHIEVEMENT

2010

1st Place Overall - Senior Division (4-2-1)

3rd WOMA-USA

Invitational Karate Tournament

Madina Palace Hotel, Jeddah, K.S.A.

March 26, 2010

1st Place Overall - Senior Division (5-1-3)

6th FIMAA

Invitational Karate Tournament

"Arena of Honor"

Al Badr International School, Jeddah, K.S.A.

January 22, 2010

2009

4th Place Overall - (1-2-2)

1st SSSKII

Stealth Shidokan Shorin-ryu Karatedo International

Invitational Karate Tournament

"Fight for a Cause"

Al Badr International School, Jeddah, K.S.A.

October 16, 2009

2008

Tournament Organizer

2nd SSKI

Sphinx Shoto-kan Karate-do International

Invitational Karate Tournament

"Sphinx Cup - Fight for a Cause"

For the Benefit of Distressed OFW

International Philippine School in Jeddah, K.S.A.

March 14, 2008

2nd Place Overall - Senior Division (4-1-2)

5th FIMAA

Filipino International Martial Arts Association

Invitational Karate Tournament &

Martial Arts Exhibition

International Philippine School in Jeddah, K.S.A.

January 04, 2008

2007

Records (0-3-1)

PHILMASA Int'l.

Karate / Kickboxing Tournament &

Martial Arts Showdown

"Streetfighting Sport"

Al-Mostaqbal Plaza (Future Mall), Jeddah, K.S.A.

July 9 & 13, 2007

1st Place Overall - Senior Division (5-2-0)

4th TASK-LEKCI

"Freedom Fight"

International Philippine School in Jeddah, K.S.A.

June, 2007

Tournament Organizer

1st SSKI

Sphinx Shoto-kan Karate-do International

Invitational Martial Arts Tournament

"Sphinx Cup 2007"

Pearl of the Orient International School (POIS), Jeddah, K.S.A.

March, 2007

2006

3rd place Overall (1-2-6)

3rd PSKAI

Philippine Shotakan Karatedo Association International

Karate Tournament

Asian Martial Arts Dojo Club (AMADC), Jeddah, K.S.A.

December 08, 2006

4th Place Overall - Junior Division (2-0-0)

3rd Place Overall - Senior Division (1-1-2)

4th FIMAA

Invitational Karate Tournament &

Martial Arts Showdown

International Philippine School In Jeddah (IPSJ), K.S.A.

November 3, 2006

3rd Place Overall (2-3-1-2)
ISMART/FFKC/CERILLA

Invitational Karate-do Championship

"Showdown in Jeddah 2006"

Asian Martial Arts Dojo Club (AMADC), K.S.A.

March 3, 2006

3rd Place Overall (3-2-1)

3rd FIMAA

Invitational Karate Tournament &

Martial Arts Exhibition

Pearl of the Orient International School (POIS), Jeddah, K.S.A.

February 3, 2006

2005

Tournament Organizer

3rd ASKI

Karate Tournament

"Fight for a Cause II"

For the benefit of Bantay Bata 163

Sunbulah Compound, Industrial Area, Jeddah, K.S.A.

December 9, 2005

Tournament Organizer

2nd ASKI

Invitational Karate Tournament &

Martial Arts Exhibition

Fight for a Cause"

For the benifit of Bantay Bata 163

Sunbulah Compound, Industrial Area, Jeddah, K.S.A.

November 3 & 4, 2005

Records (_-_-_)

19th AMAF

Invitational Open Karate &

Kickboxing Championship

Sunrise International School (SIS), Jeddah, K.S.A.

September 2005

2004

Records (1-2-1)

2nd PSKAI

Clash of the Best 2004

Asian Martial Arts Defense Club

August 2, 2004

Records (1-0-4)
PHILMASA International
Karate / Kickboxing Invitational Tournament &
Martial Arts Exhibitions

"Master Cup - The Quest for Power"

Philippine Consulat Grounds, Jeddah, K.S.A.

June, 2004

2003

Records (1-3-0)

1st FIMAA

Invitational Martial Arts Championship 2003

Philippine Consulate Grounds, Jeddah, K.S.A.

October 2003

Records (1-0-0)

1st PSKAI - PKF

Invitational Karate Tournament

"Independence Cup 2003"

Al Ahli Sports Club, Jeddah, K.S.A.

June 20, 2003

Records (1-2-2)

1st KAMC

Open Invitational Karate Tournament

King Abdulaziz Medical City,

National Guard Hospital, Jeddah, K.S.A.

April 4 & 11, 2003

Records (2-0-1)

1st Black Cobra

Invitational Karate Tournament

Al Ahli Sports Club

Jeddah, K.S.A.

February 14, 2003

2002

1st Place Overall (5-2-3)

PAMAC / ISMART -ISKF

Karate Tournament

"OFW Quest for the Best"

Safari New Camp, Jeddah, K.S.A.

December, 2002

Records (1-1-1)

16th AMAF

Invitational Open Karate & Kickboxing Championship

Philippine Consulate Grounds, Jeddah, K.S.A.

October, 2002

1st Place Overall (3-1-3)

Seiko - PAMAC International

Karate & Kockboxing Invitational Tournament

"Independence Cup"

Philippine Consulate Grounds, Jeddah, K.S.A.

May, 2002

Records (1-0-0)

United Black Belt

Invitational Karate Tournament

"Best of the Best Showdown 2002

Philippine Consulate Grounds, Jeddah, K.S.A.

April, 2002

2001
5th Place Overall (1-1-1)
7th JEMAC
Jeddah Martial Arts Council
Invitational Karate Tournament &
Martial Arts Exhibition
Philippine Consulate Grounds, Jeddah, K.S.A.
October, 2001

1st Place Overall (3-4-3)

1st PHILMASA International

Karate & Kickboxing

"Clash 2001"

Industrial Area, Jeddah, K.S.A.

August 2001

2000

Records (_-_-_)

6th JEMAC
Invitational Karate Tournament & Martial Arts Exhibition
Philippine Consulate Grounds, Jeddah, K.S.A.
April, 2000

1998

2nd Place Overall (3-7-5)

3rd SMAI

Shotokan Martial Arts International

All SHOTOKAN Karatedo

Championship '98

April, 1998

1997

2nd Place Overall (5-3-3)

FIST SHOTOKAN KARATE BUDOKAI

Invitational Karate Tournament

"Battle of the Best '97"

Samba Club / Al Itihad Sports Club

Jeddak, K.S.A.

March 7 &14, 1997

1996

Tournament Organizer

1st ASKI - APO

Invitational Karate Tournament

Al Ahli Sports Club

April 26,1996

1st Place Overall (7-4-2)

2nd SMAI

Shotokan Martial Arts International

"Showdown Full Contact Karate Championship"

Al Itihad Sports Club, Jeddah, K.S.A.

January 19, 1996

1995

2nd Place Overall (3-4-3)

2nd AMAF

Invitational Open Karate Tournament

& Martial Arts Exhibition

Al Itihad Sports Club, Jeddah, K.S.A.

November 17 & 24, 1995

4th Place Overall (3-1-7)

1st AMAF

Invitational Karate Tournament

Al Itihad Sports Club

Jeddah, K.S.A.

April 28, 1995

1994

6th Place Overall (1-0-1)

1st PHICKAJU - WOMA

Invitational Karate Tournament

Jeddah, Preparatory School, K.S.A.

September, 1994

SSKI rules 6th FIMAA Karate Tournament

Source : Arab News - February 5, 2010
By: Ben Micu, Jr. Sensei

With barely a month before the start of the "Year of the tiger", Sphinx Shoto-kan Karate-do International (SSKI) added another milestone in its quest for supremacy in martial arts by capturing the most coveted over-all Championship title in the Senior Division of FIMAA's (Filipino International Martial Arts Association) 6th Karate Tournament with an insurmountable 5-1-2 record for Champion, 2nd & 3rd Places, respectively. The event dubbed "Arena of Honor" was held at the Al Badr International School in Jeddah last January 15, 2010.

First to put SSKI in the limelight was Dan Sagmit Jr., who was adjudged Champion in the Green belt "Kata" category with his flawless rendition of "Heian Shodan" This was followed by Al Debalucos, who likewise claimed the Championship plaque in the Brown belt Category (Kata) with his Bassai Dai" execution and a 2nd Runner-up plaque for Boy Cielo Sensei, who performed "Gojushiho Sho" and "Nijushiho" in the Black belt elimination and final phases, respectively in the Black belt Kata competition.

Not to be outdone and greatly motivated by their victorious counterparts in the Kata competition, Kumite (sparring) participants thrilled the audience with Andy Balane taking the lead and the Lightweight Championship plaque in the Green belt category. He was followed by Danny Iglesia and Noel Torlao who gamely fought for the right to claim the Championship plaque in the Green belt Middleweight category which was eventually won by the former.

With a Championship plaque already to his credit, Al Debalucos, a perennial winner in Kumite events, lost his bearing earlier but still managed to grab 3rd place honors in the Brown belt Lightweight category. Boy Cielo Sensei on the other hand, had more energy to spare in the Kumite event and was crowned Black belt Champion in the combined Middle/Heavyweight category. Meanwhile in the Junior Division, Brian Sagmit added another 3rd place honor for his effort in the Kata - Greenbelt category bringing SSKI's final medal tally to 5-1-3.

Being one of the founding members of FIMAA, with Master Nestor Suliva as its current President, SSKI also took part in overseeing the smooth conduct of the tournament by fielding some of its instructors namely; Senseis Jun Loyola, Sonny Alvarez, Ben Micu, Jr., Samuel Nacario, Jr. & Sonny Dalloran, along with other club instructors to act as referees, judges & arbitrators.

SSKI-Middle East along with SSKI-Canada were founded by Master Eddie V. Rama, a certified 7th Dan Black belt (Shotokan). It has a full-pledge membership with Sphinx International, Philippine Chapter, headed by its founder, Master Jimmy Galez and is locally headed by Romeo Rivero Sensei, a 3rd Dan Black belt with branch chapters in Xenel Bldg., Al Oun Industrial Area, King Faisal Naval Base & Power Punch, among others.

SSSKII - KARATE TOURNAMENT - AL BADR - 16 OCT.2009

By: Ben Micu Jr. Sensei

The 1st SSSKII (Stealth Shidokan Shorin-ryu Karatedo International, Inc.) Karate Tournament held at the Al Badr International School last October 16, 2009 was a resounding success in terms of attendance, audience-wise and gate receipts from participants. It was one of many tournament that Sphinx Shotokan Karate-do International (SSKI) had given its full support not only in the number of participants but also in providing ample referees/judges and table officials to meet the requirements of running a martial arts tournament. Its close association with Mario Mendoza Renshi, Chief Instructor and Founder of SSSKII, was evident as Jun Loyola Sensei was given the honor as Chief Referee during the tournament. The latter along with Sony Alvarez Sensei likewise painstakingly conducted seminars to newly recruited referees and table officials. Other SSKI Senseis who refereed/judged the tournament were Ben Micu Jr., Bhoy Cielo, Samuel Nacario Jr., Sonny Dalloran, Vani Gasmenia, Ruben Cabigas, Cris Ortiz & Steve Rivero and members Jonathan Gastanez & Rolando Lapay. Plaques and certificates of appreciation were awarded to them by SSSKII in recognition of their valuable support during the tournament.

In the tournament proper, Leanne Loyola, a junior green belter and daughter of Jun Loyola Sensei participated both in the Kata and Kumite events and in the process took home 1st Runner-Up and Champion trophies, respectively. The outcome did not come as a suprise to the club as Leanne has been a perennial winner in every tournament that she entered into. The same story can be said of Al Debalucos, a senior brown belter, who also placed 1st Runner-Up in the Brown belt Middleweight category Kumite competition. It was a close fight and the outcome was decided on breaks which eventually went to Al's opponent. Leanne and Al's success can be attributed to their dedication to the sport to which they both excel thru constant practice.

Another winning entry was Eugine Gruela who took home the 2nd Runner-Up trophy in Brown belt Lightweight category Kumite competition. Ironically, Eugene's win could have been better if not for a freak accident in the elimination round that cost him to fight for a higher finish. He is a loyal student of Bhoy Cielo Sensei.

Meanwhile, a suprise revelation in the tournament was Julius Ben Micu (my son), who was entered in the Kumite's 6 to 9 years old category. His first round was a shut-out, scoring at least 4 knock downs by employing gyaku tsuki (reverse punch) , two of which were rendered "out-of-form" by the referee. He nonetheless finished the bout with a 5-0 score in his favor. His second round likewise ended in shut-out with his opponent scoring nothing but fouls and just like the first round, Julius again scored some knock downs ( I now refer to him as the "Little Pacman" in karate ). But he faltered in the fateful third round wherein he was paired with a taller and bigger opponent (no more choice as he was the smallest participant left in the draw). The eventual winner was at first holding his strikes and scored first with a reverse punch. Julius then initiated the fight by pressing the attack and employing what has been taught to him, scored 2 points by delivering a mawazi geri (roundhouse kick) for a 2 to 1 in his favor. At this point, Steve Rivero Sesnei, who acted as his coach, had signaled Julius by way of a coded hand signal to keep away from his opponent, but, a born-fighter as he is, he decided to put more pressure to his opponent by continuously attacking him. With the time down to more or less 10 seconds, his opponent let go a mawazi geri for a 3 to 2 score en route to the final championship round.