BLACK BELT/ BROWN BELT

Ricky Morris of Greenacres two years ago, he was a 7-year-old aspiring martial artist who had just been selected for the Kids Karate Hall of Fame.

Since then, Ricky has continued to add to his list of martial arts accomplishments. Now 9, Ricky’s most recent milestone is a pair of championships at the International Sport Karate Association U.S. Open World Martial Arts Championships held June 30 and

Ricky won for creative forms and creative weapons forms in the 8- and 9-year-old division. After a series of recent competitions, including the U.S. Open, Ricky is currently No. 1 in his age group in the North American Sport Association weapons forms and traditional weapons forms rankings, his father, Rick Morris, said.

Among the events the Diamond View Elementary fourth-grader has attended are the New England Open in Boston, the Toronto Open and the World Series of Martial Arts in Washington, D. C. But the U.S. Open, which drew more than 4,000 competitors, provides the most points.

“The U.S. Open is the one everybody comes to,” Rick Morris said. “If you win the US. Open, you’re pretty much at that (elite) level because there’s so many competitors. ”

The elder Morris said his son has taken his successes in stride and is back in the family garage training for more competitions.

Ricky will be competing in a number of upcoming events, including the Battle of Atlanta later this month, the Diamond Nationals in St. Paul, Minn., in October, and the Pan-American International Games in Miami in November.

“He’s been unbelievable, he’s having a real good year,” Rick Morris said.
Okeeheelee All-Stars finish strong: The Okeeheelee 9-and-under and 10-and-under baseball teams advanced to the semifinals during the Cal Ripken South Florida 9U and 10U state championships held July 6-10 at Okeeheelee Park.

Palm Beach Gardens defeated Jupiter to win the 9-and-under championship, while Oviedo beat Jupiter to win the 10-and-under title.

Martial Arts News

Martial Arts

The All British Martial Arts Association, based in Kirkby, recently entered a team in the CMAA National Championship held at Buxton.
Last year they won the George Morrell trophy presented annually to the team winning the largest haul of medals.
So this year they had the task of defending the trophy.
That was not an easy task has the competition attracted a much larger turnout with over 500 competitors, from England, Wales and Scotland, and the ABMAA being was one of the smaller teams with only 24 competitors, including team members from Cobra Freestyle Kickboxing, Ashfield Tigers Kickboxing, Rainworth Taekwondo and Mansfield Combat Jujitsu.
The team succeeded, with 20 medals, they bought the George Morrell trophy back home with them, the medal winners were
Kelly Bossons gold medal girls 11 - 15yrs points, Ben Bossons silver medal boys under 10yr points, Greg Hendri gold medal mens advanced open weight points and also mens light continuous, Steve Wright silver mens advanced open weight points, Martin Logue bronze mens advanced open weight points.
Team captain Adam Beniston gold adult open kata. Craig Canning silver medal boys points, and bronze medal boys light continuous. Dale Baldry silver medal light continuous over 14 stone, and silver medal mens submission grappling over 14 stone, Shaun Couple silver boys points fighting, Josh Wooton bronze medal boys under 10yrs submission grappling, Rachel Bear silver medal girls points, Ebony Smith gold medal girls points, Zak Watson gold in boys points fighting, Ross Barratt silver medal under 3rd Ku points, Bethany Barratt bronze medal girls under 10yrs points. Kev Michell bronze medal weapons kata, Joss Livesley gold medal light continuous. Also competing but missing out on the medals were, Wez Draycott, Bethany Murphy, Harry Watson, Kallum Wright, Kev Smith, Lucy Ashley, Alex Graham.
The team were coached by ABMAA President Phil Beniston and Vice President Pete Keeling, for details of classes in the area tel Phil on Mans 751721.

Martial Arts News

Martial Arts