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On February 7, 2004, at 8:00am, Sifu
Tony Jordan opened the doors of the Tower Building in Fair
Park, Dallas, Texas for the 8th Annual Gray Eagle Open Martial
Arts Tournament. This tournament is billed as one of the
best and toughest in Texas. Upon entering the 40,000 sq.
ft. building, a sense of awe set in on the competitors and
spectators. The tournament was laid out with 15 rings
and the evening's Kick Boxing ring set up in the middle of the
floor. Each ring had specific events assigned to them so
the competitors knew exactly where they needed to be for the
competition. Vendors were set up in the front of the
competition area making it easy for all to see their wares.
The Trophy and T-shirt booth created a big impression.
As always, Eagles were the trophies for first, second and
third place winners.... However, this year's Eagles were
definitely the talk of the crowd. Beautiful, heavy
eagles displayed on top of black marble bases were what every
competitor wanted. The T-shirts were 'glow in the dark'
eagles and very few were left after the tournament.
Thanks to the tournament coordinators,
Mr. Dewey Sutton and Mr. Barry Guimbellot, the tournament ran
smoothly and efficiently. Although it was a slow start,
once the rings were assigned to the Black Belt judges,
everything clicked right along.
Competition was fierce.
Beginning with the Black Belt Adults, Sifu Jordan was elated
to see that the crowd packed in around their ring and cheered
as the Black Belts performed amazing forms. Years ago,
RESPECT for the Black Belts prevented tournaments from
proceeding with any competition until the Black Belts
performed their Katas. Because tournaments are so large
now days, we often forget that respect and continue with every
division regardless of who or what was performing. At
this year's Gray Eagle, even though the Specialty Divisions
were running, RESPECT was definitely paid to the Black Belt
performers.... those rings were crowded with standing room
only spectators. Awesome performances won top honors
with competitors taking first place in a very heated
competition with Black Belt Katas as follows:
Hard Style: Bear Loebe, Executive:
Clarence Bowman, Senior Executive: Cliff Dillehay, Women: Linh
Le, Executive Women: Amy Seeling, Soft Style: Michael
Abedin, Specialty: Bear Loebe, Self Defense: Courtney Allen, &
Weapons: Wayne Nguyen, and Grand Champion Forms went to
Bear Loebe. Black Belt Sparring 1st place Champions
were: Lt. Wt. Men: Jecobie Gilder, Mid. Wt Men:
Bear Loebe, Hvy Wt Men: Shawn Miller, Exec. Lt Wt Men:
Anthony Allen, Exec. Hvy Wt Men: D. E. Chambers, Senior
Exec. Men: Clarence Smith, Women Fly Wt: Amanda
Beasley, Women Lt Wt: Kristy Shawky, and Exec. Women:
Cherry Morrision, with Grand Champion Women going to Amanda
Beasley and Grand Champion Men going to Jecobie Gilder.
For a
complete list of winners, click here........
For photos
click here........
Sifu Tony Jordan also wants to thank all
of the Black Belts that worked so hard judging the tournament
and the competitors that make this event so tough and
exciting. Our pledge to you is that we will continue to
improve, build, and make sure that the future Gray Eagle
Tournaments are even more exciting and challenging..... for
next year we suggest that you spend the rest of this year
practicing and getting ready for us to ask again..... " Are
you good enough to win the 'Eagle'?"
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