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2009 Southern Region Open

This year marked the 30th annual Southern Region Open Tournament in Dothan, AL. Hu-Kaicho Toyama and Hu-Kaicho Culbreth would like to thank everyone involved who helped to make this yet another successful tournament. Special thanks go out to Mr. Bo Miller, Senpai Josh McCullars, Shihan-dai Fred Lecut, Shihan Diona Caroll, Shihan Mike Leverette, and Shihan Travis Page for their spectacular Yoshukai demonstrations. Also, thanks goes out to all the WYKKO Black Belts that participated in Kaicho's entrance and the group bo demonstration. In addition to WYKKO members, we had over 200 competitors from various other styles. Congratulations to our Grandchampion competitors Mr. Navin McGuiness and Shihan Sayaka (Katoh) McCullars. Special congratulations go to our tournament Grandchampions Mr. Greg Turnbull (Kata) and Ms. Jaime Hagler (Fighting).

This year's tournament featured many special guests from around the world. In attendance was the Grandmaster and Founder of Yoshukai Karate, Katsuoh Yamamoto. Travelling with him was Shihan Hiroshi Tsutsui, Senpai Megumi Shinohara, Mr. Masaki Yamamoto, Mr. Hidetoshi Oyama, Kentaro Wada, Ten Tanaka, Taishi Nakamura, and Seiya Nagashima. Also in attendance from Victoria, Canada was Mr. Greg Turnbull, Arlinn Ablaza, Matt Beren, and JoAnn Redublo. A special thanks goes to Mr. Patrick Paolozzi who travelled all the way from Germany. WYKKO members from all over the United States attended including Los Angeles, CA (Shihan Blanck and crew); Indianapolis, IN (Shihan Lilley); Granberry, TX (Shihan Taylor and crew); Miami, FL (Shihan Caroll); and New Mexico (Mr. Rick Smith).

High Ranking Promotions

On the Friday night before the tournament, there was a rank promotion ceremony for those who tested at the October Black Belt testing as well as for those receiving high ranking promotions. Congratulations to Shihan Gerry Blanck (7th dan); Shihan Tony Ellrod (6th dan); Shihan Jennifer McIntosh (6th dan); Shihan Byron Taylor (6th dan); Shihan Glenda Taylor (5th dan); and Senpai Lindsay Mattison (3rd dan). Osu!

2009 October Black Belt Test

The October Black Belt testing will be held on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009 in Auburn, AL. The location of the testing will be at the Dean Rd. Auburn Recreation center. Testing will begin at 12:00 PM. We have the center until 5:00PM. A practice session for the Dothan Tournament demos will be held following the testing. Please be sure to bring your bo to practice the entry demo for the Dothan Tournament.

Dothan Tournament Announcement

We will be practicing the entrance for kaicho and the bo kata while wearing hakama on Friday, October 30, 2009 at 6:00 PM at the Dothan Civic Center. We will also be presenting black belts for those who pass the October 3rd testing Friday evening rather than on Saturday morning at the tournament.

2009 Sunshine Classic

Hu-Kaicho Toyama and Hu-Kaicho Culbreth would like to commend the Panama City area dojos for putting on another great tournament. Competitors from many other styles attended the tournament in addition to WYKKO members. Special congratulations go out to Sensei Jimmy Joe Croley (PC area dojo) on winning the Adult Black Belt Grandchampionship. Other Grandchampion competitors included Shihan Mike Leverett; Senpai Josh McCullars; Senpai Kayla Peak; Mr. Navin McGuiness; and Ms. Wells.

2009 SuperFights

Congratulations go to Shihan-dai Matthew Mangham for winning the Middleweight Full Contact Fighting Division and to Shihan Travis Page for winning the Senior Full Contact Fighting Division. We would also like to recognize our other full contact fighters: Shihan-dai Tony Adams; Senpai Shenandoah McInnish; Senpai James Roney; Senpai Josh McCullars; Mr. Chris Mattison; Mr. Chris Salter; and 3rd kyu - Mark Sand, who made a spectacular Full Contact Fighting debut winning 3rd place in the Middleweight division. The WYKKO is proud of all their full contact fighters.

For those of you who missed it, spectacular demonstrations were performed by Shihan Mike Leverett, Shihan-dai Fred Lecut; Shihan-dai Jose Cruz; Mr. Bo Miller, Mr. Josh McCain; and Andrea Adams. Hu-Kaicho Toyama and Hu-Kaicho Culbreth would like to also thank everyone who supported this tournament by attending the nighttime event or by competing during the day. Special thanks goes out to the Oxford, Anniston, Talledega, Jacksonville, and Pell City Dojos for their work in putting on another fine tournament.

Message From Shihan Leverett

Knife and Self-defense videos with Shihan Mike Leverett and Shihan Travis Page,

can now be viewed at Insidethedojo.com Please visit our website and enjoy our videos. All videos are linked to Youtube.com and are links here on WYKKO website (go to "News and Posts" and look under "Videos") as well. If you would like to post a comment and rate video this can be done at Youtube.com. All videos will have a synopsis of video and how to work the techniques along with video.

Mike.Leverett@insidethedojo.com

ShihanLeverett@bellsouth.net

Roku dan Promotion

Congratulations go to Shihan Paul Moffett on his promotion to 6th degree belt. His over 20 years of service and dedication to Yoshukai Karate is something of which we can all be proud. Osu!

2009 Summer Camp

The June 19th and 20th weekend marked the WYKKO's 9th Summer Camp. As in previous years, the camp ran smoothly and a good time was had by students, instructors, and spectators. Because of his knee surgery, Hu-Kaicho Culbreth was unable to attend, but he was certainly there in spirit as all the participants gave their all during the Black Belt testing and the camp. A thank you goes out to all the kyu grades who helped with the set-up and clean-up of the event. Special thanks go out to Mr. James Roney, Ms. Jaime Hagler, and Mr. Bo Miller for their extra effort in preparing for the camp.