NYC Big Apple Open April 22

Tang Soo! I hope this find you in good health and spirits. I would like to take this opportunity to re-introduce to you Bay Ridge Annual Invitational Tournament under its new title, NYC Big Apple Open. This tournament will once again be held under the direction of Professor Frank Barroso of the Bay Ridge Dojo and will be the 5th tournament hosted by the Rockland Martial Arts Alliance. This Tournament will include all events previously held by the Bay Ridge Annual Invitational, Forms, Fighting, Self-Defense, Weapons and Breaking-including Concrete Breaking. The NYC Big Apple Open V, will be held at Poly Prep located at 9216 7th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11228. Competitor dues are all inclusive. Pay one price and you can compete in as many events as you like. In addition, we are offering discounts to schools that come with 10 or more students and groups of 15 or more will receive an ever steeper discount. As an additional offer, special discounts will be available to schools that have attended all four previous championships in the past. This event will also sponsor a keepsake for all competitors free of charge.

As usual, we have a commemorative t-shirt for all participating judges that qualify. I am pleased to announce that along with the t-shirts, other apparel will be available through Fine Design Inc., our new t-shirt and apparel provider. Fine Design will be offering various products that you can customize by adding your name, school name or special message written on the back. This gives you the opportunity to have your very own, one of a kind shirt that represents you. Photography will be available through Umoja Photography. Umoja gives you the opportunity to have photos taken of you/your child. Prints will be made while you wait. They will also be offering a commemorative DVD of all of the photos taken tournament day. Pre-registration is strongly recommended as our tournaments serve over 30 schools and 350 competitors.
Our pre-registration only requires that your school submit your applications in advance. YOU CAN STILL PAY AT THE DOOR. Please call any of the directors for further information regarding registering in advance.

If you have any further questions, comments or concerns, please feel free to call or email. I look forward to seeing you there.

Yours for the cause of
Peace, Love, Brotherhood
And The Way,
Corey E Davis
Tournament Director
NYC Big Apple Open

Limited Spots Left for Combat Sports Training Camp

2007 Combat Sports Training Camp
12 Hours of Mixed Martial Arts Instruction!
New York City , March 9, 10 and 11, 2007
David A Ross, San Da Kickboxing
Carmine Zocchi, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Tim O’Connor, Strength and Conditioning
Ian Morgan, San Da Kickboxing

"I wanted to say what an awesome time we had. Both Instructors showed immense skill and knowledge and were willing to share it all. I can't wait until next year!"
- Chris Herzog, Empire Judo and Boxing club

Who is the camp for?
This camp is for anyone that is looking to challenge themselves. You don’t have to be a fighter to benefit from this camp. Men and women, from any style or system, even those with NO TRAINING, are welcome to attend.

"In the 3 hours I spent at NY San Da, I have to make a confessiont. I learned more about fighting than I learned in the 3 years I spent at my first martial arts school."
- Jason Weiss, Huntington LI

Where is the camp located?
The camp is held at New York San Da at 313 W 37th Street.

What do I need to bring?
Please bring your normal work-out-gear (shorts, shirt, etc) and basic protective equipment including boxing gloves, shin guards, a groin cup and a mouth piece.

Camp Schedule:
Friday, March 9th; Session 1. 7PM-10PM
David A Ross: "Intermediate clinch, knees, elbows, shoulders, takedowns"

Saturday, March 10th; Session 2. 9AM - NOON
Ian Morgan: "Strategy and Set ups"
Tim O'Connor: "Strength and conditioning for combat sports"

Saturday, March 10th; Session 3. 2PM-5PM
Carmine Zocchi: "Side ride and the back, BJJ for MMA"

Sunday, March 11th; Session 4. 10AM-1PM
Cost: $120 for entire weekend (discounts if you attended past camps)

To register
Visit www.SanDa-MMA.com where you can download a registration form and/or pay on line with "PAY PAL". Or call (212) 239-8619 with your credit card.

20-year-old John Gilliam from Middle Island NY invited to fight in China!

John Gilliam, 20, has been training at AFC kickboxing in his hometown of Middle Island NY since he was 10 years old with World kickboxing Champion Tommy "BEE" Bottone.

John has fought and won fights in many fighting styles since he began competing at an early age.

In 2006 John took his career to another level, traveling to Virginia Beach to win the gold medal in the U.S. WAKO kickboxing championships which was the largest full contact kickboxing rules tournament in US history.

John also won the gold medal in the USKBA World championships held in New Jersey.

Later in the year John was the team captain for Team USA which traveled to Ottawa Canada to fight Team Canada.

After returning from Canada, John fought for the PKF amateur World title and won by 4th round KO.

Earlier in the year John fought in a co-main event at a local event held in Shirley NY fighting a fighter from Yugoslavia and winning by a head kick KO in round 2.

The event March 23rd through March 25th in China will be a World tournament fought under Chinese kickboxing rules (Sanshou) which is a unique fighting style as all punches and kicks are legal above the waist but there are also kicks to the legs allowed and all throws are legal as well. This style of fighting is from China and has been made very popular in the US by Cung Le, and locally by NY Sanda.

There will be fighters from all over the World at this event. Last years winner in the overall division was from Russia. John will get a chance to win his weight class and then move on to win the overall division.

This style is no stranger to John as his trainer Tommy "BEE" Bottone was a Sanshou tournament Champion before turning to other rules for Pro kickboxing in the US. Bottone said that John is ready and willing and that his unique style of strong hands, great kicks and strong wrestling skills will be hard to beat.

John Gilliam is very excited to take his career to another level with this World tournament in China.

John was a very good wrestler for Longwood school district and has been well prepared for this type of tournament in his years of training and teaching at AFC kickboxing.

For more information about John Gilliam and Team USA go to www.ringoffirekickboxing.com
AFC Kickboxing 631-345-0100