Two FKA Students Win 2nd at 2010 Karate Pan Am Championship

The Florida Karate Academy of Vero Beach, Florida is proud to announce that two of its students, Gunnar Flinchum, and Justin Suen, won 2nd place at the 2010 Karate Pan Am Championship in Montreal, Canada the weekend of August 20th and 21st. Justin Suen 16, and Gunnar Flinchum 15, both won silver medals in their divisions of sport fighting at this international sporting event. Gunnar and Justin qualified for the 2010 Karate Pan Am Championships by finishing in the top two places at the 2010 NKF Karate National Tournament held July 8th-11th in Greenville, South Carolina.

Gunnar Flinchum won his silver medal fighting in the 14-15 year old, over 70 kg division at the championship. He won his first fighting match against Mexico by a score of 2-0; he won his second match against Venezuela by a score of 4-3 and lost his 3rd match against Jesus Para of Venezuela in overtime 0-0 by referee decision after tying against Venezuela 2-2. Gunnar Flinchum is a 2nd degree black belt and has been practicing karate at the Florida Karate Academy for 10 years. Gunnar is also a staff instructor at the academy.

Justin Suen won his silver medal fighting in the 16-17 year old, over 76 kg division at the championship. He won his first match against Trinidad and Tobago by a score of 7-1; he won his second match against Venezuela by a score of 7-3 and lost his third fight, in a very close match to Carlos Besne of Mexico by a score of 1-2. Justin Suen is a 1st degree black belt and has been practicing karate at the Florida Karate Academy for 12 years.

Gunnar and Justin will continue their international competition this fall, competing in Caole, Italy at the 2010 WKC/USA World Karate Championship, October 22 through October 24th. Joining Gunnar and Justin, from the Florida Karate Academy, in the competition in Italy, will be Emily Lunn 15, and Dylan Flinchum 17. For more information about this article, please call 772-563-9333 or go to www.floridakarateacademy.com.

FKA Hosts Hock Hochheim, World Renowned Anti-Crime Instructor

The Florida Karate Academy in Vero Beach, Florida hosted Hock Hochheim for an anti-crime, self defense training seminar on Saturday, August 14th and Sunday, August 15th. Students of all levels from Vero Beach, Boca Raton and as far away as Michigan attended the 2 day-long seminar, for this great opportunity to learn from the very best. W. Hock Hochheim has instructed the US Marines, Navy, Air Force, allied troops, SWAT and ERT teams, and police officers from over 150 police academies as well as thousands of citizens and martial artists around the world. Saturday Hock taught strategies to over 25 students in common crime scenarios, including avoidance drills and disarming opponents with knives, sticks, and guns, plus a special Youth Anti-Bully Class for 15 younger students.

Hock started the day, Saturday teaching a special one hour class just for kids. He instructed 15 youngsters in defense against larger opponents, learning simple take downs to get out of potentially dangerous situations. The kids were introduced to the basics of stick defense, using safety sticks. The hour was very informational and entertaining. The kids had a great time and had the opportunity to practice their self-defense with partners.

The rest of the day was spent with the older students learning avoidance techniques against attacks with knives, and sticks. Students also learned to disarm an opponent against gun, knives and stick attacks. Take-downs were learned to surprise and disarm opponent and neutralize any danger. All techniques were then practiced with partners to learn exactly how they needed to be preformed to be effective.

Sunday, for returning students, Hock went over weapons in more detail plus worked participants on fighting from ground positions. Students also practiced finger hold submissions and the use of eye gouges.

Hock Hochheim visits us every year with new techniques in self-defense. Hock is a commended Texas police and US Army military vet with three decades of experience, a former private investigator and a graduate of many academies, street survival courses and combat schools. With Black Belts in Filipino, Japanese, and Hawaiian systems, Hock was inducted in the prestigious Black Belt Magazine Hall of Fame. He was awarded the title of Guro in manila, the Philippines in 1993. Author of the Knife Fighting encyclopedia, Hock has produced over 40 acclaimed training videos. For more information about this article, please call 772-563-9333 or go to www.floridakarateacademy.com.

FKA Wins Big at 2010 AAU Karate Nationals

The Flinchum brothers led the Florida Karate Academy Competition Team to a big victory in Albany, New York at the 2010 AAU Karate National Championships. The Championship was held June 28th – July 3rd at the Times Union Center Arena in downtown Albany, NY. The Florida Karate Academy sent 26 athletes to the tournament that included competitors from all over the United States including Hawaii, California, and Florida and brought home 51 medals; 20 Gold medals, 8 Silver medals, and 23 Bronze medals.

Morgan Flinchum 21, won a gold medal in forms, and a gold, silver, and bronze medal in fighting. Dylan Flinchum 17, won 3 gold medals and a bronze medal in fighting, and a bronze medal in forms, and Gunnar Flinchum 15, won 2 gold and 2 bronze medals in fighting. Along with the Flinchum brothers, Kati Reams 16, won a gold medal in fighting and a bronze medal in team fighting, Emily Lunn 15, won 2 bronze medals in fighting, and a silver medal in team fighting, Justin Suen 16, won 2 bronze medals in fighting, Stephen Queen 16, won a bronze medal in team fighting and Matthew Fraley, 19 won 2 bronze medals in fighting.

FKA’s younger athletes also had a very successful experience at the National Championship. Nikki Duong 14, won a silver medal in team fighting, Marcello Duong 12, won a bronze medal in fighting, and a bronze medal in team fighting, Desmond Haigler 12, won a gold medal in fighting and a bronze medal in forms, Kyle Docherty 12, won a bronze medal in fighting and a bronze medal in team fighting, Chris Docherty 12, won a bronze medal in team fighting, K.J. Anderson 12, won a gold in fighting and a bronze medal in weapons, Patrick McCarthy 12, came in 4th in forms, Randy Queen 11, won a gold medal in weapons and a silver medal in fighting, Griffin Koontz 9, won a gold medal in fighting, Alvin Barriner 9, won a bronze medal in fighting, Sarah Anne Evans 9, won a bronze medal in weapons, Derick Deleon 9, won a gold medal in forms, and a bronze medal in fighting, Elise Mallon 8, won 2 gold medals in fighting and weapons, and a silver medal in forms, Dylan Graham 7, won 2 gold medals in fighting and weapons, and a silver medal in forms, and Eddie Jacobs 8, won a gold medal in fighting.

The more mature athletes at FKA also did well with Angela Burns, 46 winning a gold medal in forms, Janet Fraley 50, winning a gold medal in forms and 2 silver medals in weapons, and John Suen 48, coming in 4th place in forms. The Florida Karate Academy would like to thank all the parents, grandparents, coaches and referees that traveled with the team and put in so much time supporting the athletes. For more information about this article, please call 772-563-9333 or go to www.floridakarateacademy.com.

Flinchums Lead FKA to Big Win at AAU Karate Championship

The Florida Karate Academy traveled to Ft. Pierce with 31 athletes to compete in the 2010 AAU Karate Super Regional and National Qualifier Tournament on Saturday, May 1st at the Fenn Center Arena. The tournament attracted over 250 athletes from all parts of the state of Florida to compete for the chance to go to the AAU Karate National Tournament, which will take place this June 2010 in Albany, New York. The first 16 athletes in each division are eligible to compete in this National Tournament.

The Florida Karate Academy brought home 49 medals from the Regional Tournament; 22 gold medals, 13 silver medals, and 14 bronze medals. Dylan Flinchum 17, led the day winning 3 gold medals in 3 divisions of fighting and his brother Gunnar Flinchum 15, who also won gold, winning in 2 divisions of fighting, Nicolette Duong 14, won a gold and a silver medal in fighting, Matthew Fraley 19, won a gold in forms, Emily Lunn 15, won 2 gold medals in fighting, Cole Pinner 13, won a silver medal in weapons and a bronze medal in forms, Stephen Queen 16, won a silver medal in weapons, Kati Reams 16, won a gold and a bronze medal in fighting, Gabriel Salazar 13, won a silver medal in forms, and Justin Suen 16, won a bronze medal in fighting.

FKA’s young athletes were also at their best with Dylan Graham, 7 winning 3 gold medals in forms, weapons, and fighting. FKA’s other younger athletes also did well; K.J. Anderson 12, won 3 bronze medals in forms, weapons, and fighting, Alvin Barriner 9, won a bronze medal in fighting, Derick Deleon 9, won a gold medal in fighting, Christopher Docherty 12, won a bronze medal in fighting, Marcello Duong,11 won a gold medal in fighting, Sarah Anne Evans 10,won a gold medal in forms, Misael Gallegos 11, won a gold medal in forms, and 2 bronze medals in weapons, and fighting, Desmond Haigler 12, won a silver medal in fighting and 2 bronze medals in forms, and weapons, Eddie Jacobs 8, won 2 silver medals in forms and weapons, and a bronze medal in fighting, Griffin Koontz 9, won a gold medal in fighting and a silver medal in weapons, Elise Mallon 8, won a gold medal in forms, and 2 silver medals in weapons and fighting, Patrick McCarthy 12, won a gold medal in weapons, and a bronze medal in forms, and Randy Queen 11, won a silver medal in weapons.

FKA’s more mature athletes also did well with Angela Burns 46, winning a gold medal in forms, Janet Fraley 50, winning a silver medal in weapons, and John Suen 48, winning a gold medal in forms and a bronze medal in fighting. Other athletes participating in the tournament were Kyle Docherty 12, Adam Ogonoski 10, and Carson Shafer, 7. Many volunteers also attend each of the many AAU Karate Tournaments and make each of these competitions possible; keeping score, organizing the competitors, and assisting in the staging of athletes.

The next big competition for the Florida Karate Academy and “Team Florida” will be the 2010 AAU Karate National Championship that will be held June 28th –July3rd in Albany, New York. For more information on this article, please go to www.floridakarateacademy.com or call 772-563-9333.

Justin Suen Brings Home Gold!

Most people take a trip to Las Vegas, Nevada to vacation, see a show, or visit the casinos. Justin Suen, 16 took the trip to compete against the best karate athletes in the world. Justin Suen won gold at the NKF/USA Open Karate Championship and the National Junior Olympics held in Las Vegas, Nevada Saturday, April 2nd through Monday, April 4th, 2010. The two prestigious tournaments attracted the best karate athletes from all over the world. Forty-two countries were represented by their national teams, including Italy, Germany, France, Russia, Canada, South Africa, and Mexico. More than 1000 athletes competed in the NKF/USA Open Karate Championship and almost 800 athletes competed in the NKF/USA National Junior Olympics.

Justin Suen won gold in black belt fighting, sweeping the championship titles in his weight division at both international competitions. Justin has studied Karate for 12 years at the Florida Karate Academy in Vero Beach, Florida and is a first degree black belt. Justin is a sophomore honors student at Vero Beach High School and trains and teaches at Florida Karate Academy.

Monika Visknova, a frequent visitor and trainer at the Florida Karate Academy, also competed in the NKF/USA U.S. Open winning in black belt fighting over the United States in her weight division

More results from these international karate competitions can be found at www.usankf.org. For more information on this article, please go to www.floridakarateacademy.com or call 772-563-9333.

Florida Trains the Best in Amateur Athletic Union

The Florida Karate Academy of Vero Beach and dozens of other karate schools met Saturday, January 23rd at the Florida AAU headquarters in Buena Vista, Florida for a clinic for Referees, Coaches and Volunteers that help run AAU’s very successful regional and national tournaments. Florida Referees and Coaches are required to attend this clinic to receive their 2010 credentials that allow them to officiate at all AAU Florida qualifying tournaments. Joining the clinic were 20 representatives of the AAU organization from all parts of the country. Among the dignitaries were Jo Mirza, AAU Karate Chairman, Linda Donner, National Team Coach and a member of the Referee Council, and Jim O’Hara, World Karate Team Coach from the AAU offices in Chicago, Illinois, Mark Pinner, District Chairman of Florida, and Tony Butler, District Chairman of Albany, New York. Other VIP’s were there from California, Louisiana, and North Carolina.

The clinic started with an introduction by Sensei Mark Pinner on the new credentials for Florida AAU officials. The credentials will include the age and division each athlete is signed up for to make it easier to get them where they belong at a tournament. Mr. Pinner also asked that more members step forward to be referees to represent their karate schools. Referees practiced their judging in simulated fighting rings and learned many of the new rules and how to judge an “Ippon” or full point in a fighting division match. Sensei Pinner reminded everyone to help one another at all times and create a real “Team Florida”.

Doug Stein, AAU Karate Technical Director then gave a presentation on the importance of the clinics to provide intense training for referees, coaches, and the volunteers that help at the tournaments. The training makes all participants better at their jobs at tournaments and “Team Florida’s” goal is to become the best officials in the nation. The clinic on Saturday, January 23rd had over 200 people come to learn and become more skilled in their jobs as referee, coach, or volunteer.

After a lunch of pizza participants were divided up into their respective groups. The Volunteers led by Deana Pinner and Tanya Lopez discussed proper charting for the athletes. What to do if the charts were incorrect, and how to properly run repecharge for the fighting divisions which decides 3rd place. Coaches were reminded to learn all the AAU Karate rules, available on the AAU Karate website to help their athletes during training so infringement of rules would be taken care of in their individual schools before the athletes ever went to the tournaments. This way, an athlete will not be suddenly disqualified or made to make changes at the last minute at tournaments to the detriment of their performance.

The AAU Karate Clinic finished with all the attendees learning many things about their responsibilities on the floor of a tournament and how to better “Team Florida”. The first AAU Karate Tournament of the year will be held February 27, 2010 at the Fenn Center in Ft. Pierce, Florida. For more information about this article, please call 772-563-9333 or go to www.floridakarateacademy.com.

Misael Gallegos, 11 Wins Big at West Coast Qualifier

The Florida Karate Academy of Vero Beach, Florida traveled with 12 athletes to New Port Richey, Florida to compete with 250 competitors in the 2010 AAU Karate West Coast Qualifying Tournament. This tournament qualifies the first 16 athletes in each division for the AAU Karate Super Regional that will be held Saturday, May 1, 2010 in Ft. Pierce, Florida. Misael Gallegos 11 won the day with a gold medal in weapons, and 2 silver medals in forms and fighting. The Florida Karate Academy brought home a total of 17 medals; 3 gold, 9 silver, and 5 bronze medals.

The other athletes from the FKA competition team also did well. Gabriel Salazar 13, in his first year on the competition team, won 2 silver medals in forms and fighting. Stephen Queen 16, won a bronze medal in fighting, his brother Randy Queen 11, won a gold medal in fighting, Desmond Haigler 12, won a gold medal in weapons, and a silver medal in forms, Nicolette Duong 14, won a silver medal in fighting and a bronze medal in forms, Patrick McCarthy 12, won a silver medal in weapons, and a bronze medal in forms, and Derick Deleon 9, won a silver medal in fighting.

Angela Burns 46, returning to competition after recovering from a foot injury, won silver in forms. Also participating in the tournament were Marcello Duong 11, Kati Reams 15, and Alvin Barinner, 9.

The FKA competition team competes again on Saturday, May 1, 2010 at the Fenn Center Arena in Ft. Pierce, Florida for the AAU Karate Super Regional and National Qualifying tournament that readies the competitors for the 2010 AAU Karate Nationals that will be held in Albany, New York this June.

For more information about this article, please go to www.floridakarateacademy.com or call 772-563-9333.

FKA Scores Big at AAU Karate District Championship

The Florida Karate Academy traveled with 26 athletes to Ft. Pierce, Florida for the 2010 AAU District Karate Championship tournament in Ft. Pierce, Saturday, February 27th at the Fenn Center Arena. There were over 250 athletes competing in 9 divisions in fighting, weapons, and forms; FKA athletes won a total of 41 medals: 14 Gold, 15 Silver, and 13 Bronze medals. Misael Gallegos 11, and Elise Mallon 8, led the day bringing home 2 gold and one silver medal each on Saturday.

Florida Karate Academy athletes were very successful throughout the tournament Saturday. Sarah Anne Evans 10, won 2 silver medals in forms and weapons, and a bronze medal in fighting, Griffin Koontz 9, won a silver medal in forms and a bronze medal in weapons, Eddie Jacobs 8, won a gold medal in forms, and 2 silver medals in weapons and fighting, Derick Deleon 9 and Adam Ogonoski 10, won bronze medals in fighting, Dylan Graham 7, won a gold medal in weapons, a silver medal in forms, and a bronze medal in fighting, and Alvin Barriner won a gold medal in fighting.

Gabriel Salazar 13, competing in his first karate tournament, won 3rd place in forms. Cole Pinner 12, won 2nd place in weapons and a 3rd place in fighting, Marcello Duong 11, won 1st place in fighting and his sister, Nicolette Duong 14, won 3rd place in fighting. K.J. Anderson 12, took 1st place in weapons, and 3rd place in both forms and fighting, Randy Queen 11, won 1st place in fighting, 2nd place in weapons and 3rd place in forms, and Kyle Docherty 11, won 2nd place in fighting.

The older teenage athletes also had a successful competition with Emily Lunn 15, winning a gold medal in fighting and a bronze medal in forms. Kati Reams 15, won a bronze medal in fighting, Matt Fraley 18, won a gold medal in forms and a silver medal in fighting, and Justin Suen 16, also won a gold medal in forms and a silver medal in fighting.

The more mature athletes of FKA also did well with John Suen 48, winning a gold medal in forms and a silver medal in fighting, and Janet Fraley 50, winning a silver medal in weapons. Also participating in the competition were Stephen Queen 16, Chris Docherty 11, and Carson Shafer, 6. The competition included many of the most talented athletes in the state competing to qualify for the AAU Karate Regional Championship and National Qualifier that will take place in May 1, 2010 in Ft. Pierce, Florida. The first 16 athletes in each division will be qualified to participate in the regional competition.

For more information on this article, please go to www.floridakarateacademy.com or call 772-563-9333.

FKA Host Black Belt Testing and Training Camp

The Florida Karate Academy of Vero Beach, Florida and the Florida Karate Academy of Boca Raton, Florida held their annual black belt test and training camp the weekend of Friday, November 6th through Saturday, November 7th in Vero Beach, Florida. The Head Instructor of the Heyman Martial Arts School, Alex Heyman, Instructor Dave Witt, Head Instructor Mark Pinner, of Mark Pinner Karate Clubs, Instructor Jack Morris, Head Instructor Bob Siebelts of FKA Boca Raton, Instructor Ray Garcia, and Instructor Paul King, were the officials at the black belt test. Fourteen students tested for their Junior Black Belts, 1st Degree Black Belts, 2nd Degree Black Belts, and 3rd Degree Black Belts in forms, self-defense, and sport fighting. A training camp followed on Saturday with special sessions taught by Instructor Alex Heyman, Instructor John Witt, Instructor Jack Morris, and Instructor Mark Pinner.

Florida Karate Academy of Vero Beach students tested Friday evening, Sidney Granitur and Stephen Queen tested for their Junior Black Belts. Robert Varela and Mike Wagner tested for their 1st degree Black Belts, Russell Durias, Colby Pryor, Christine Pokorney, Alexa Mertens, Scott Winslow, and Gunnar Flinchum tested for their 2nd degree Black Belts, and Sam Pryor and Morgan Flinchum tested for their 3rd degree Black Belts. A special award of a 4th degree Black Belt was given to the Head Instructor of the Florida Karate Academy of Boca Raton, Bob Seibelts by Head Instructor Dave Roth. The test included completion of forms, self defense with empty hand, and sport fighting along with all basic training exercises and moving exercises.

Saturday, November 7th was the beginning of FKA’s annual training camp and it started out with a special session for the younger students. Sensei Mark Pinner taught the young students “Chivalry Games” using foam swords the kids were on teams that used planned coordination to win their “battles”. The young students had a great time and learned the art of cooperation. Sensei Alex Heyman started the training for the older students with stretching and ply metric exercises to make everyone stronger. Techniques were modified for the more mature students so every benefited without injury. The next session was lead by Sensei Jack Morris. Many techniques of self defense were demonstrated and were then practiced with student partners. Some simple but very effective techniques were learned. After a lunch break Sensei Dave Witt reviewed falling and rolling techniques that help students to stay safe even in the midst of a tumble and while practicing self-defense techniques, then Sensei Mark Pinner gave the older students a lesson in “chivalry games” and the teams planned and executed strategies to win their “battles”. Some one on one competition was also practiced using techniques taught about the use of a sword. The training camp was a very exciting time with many new techniques learned by all.

For more information about this article, please call 772-563-9333 or go to www.floridakarateacademy.com.