By: Ben Micu Jr. SenseiThe 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.
