NAFMA Team USA at the 2007 World Cup Championship
This past weekend
the Marriott Hotel ballroom in Mt Laurel NJ was the location of the NAFMA World
Championships. Vying for the coveted SuperBowl Styled rings in martial arts
events of Weapons forms, Empty Hand forms, Padded stick sparring and Open style
point fighting were teams from Canada, Puerto Rico and the USA. Teams from
Germany, Trinidad and Guyana dropped out at the last minute to much
disappointment. The two day event commenced with a wonderful welcome speech from
my team member Shannon Boggan, who in turn introduced the athletes from the
competing teams. From there came the ceremonial sword mat cutting ceremony
performed by Dr. John Lee of the International Traders Group, which then cued
the Lion Dance, performed by Bucks County Lion Dance team that rounded out the
opening festivities.
Not only were the Gold rings at stake in head to head competition for individual
athletes but the Team World Championship cup, which would be won by the team
with most points earned through the placing of the athletes in their respective
divisions and age categories at the end of the competition. Team Canada
demonstrated early on that they would be the biggest threat to take home the
World Championship
cup from last year's winner Team USA by bringing a very talented team in
impressive numbers. No event could be taken for granted by Team USA when Team
Canada would sometimes come in, cleanly sweep and win a division and accumulate
precious points.
When the last division was over and the final points were tallied. Team USA
retained the World Championship cup for one more year. Following the Tournament
was an evening of Dance music, pizza/light fare and celebration of all of the
athletes, coaches, parents and friends. The next NAFMA World Championships will
be held in 2009 in Orlando Florida at Disney World!
By Master
Mel Roberts