This
years event went as planned for the most part other than the record
snow fall that Va. Beach on a normal Jan. does not get. Other than that
the turnout was very pleasing with a record turnout for an event with
all of these types of styles of sports such as Marial Arts. There were
over (250) competitors and over (1000) spectators at the two day event
at the Town Center Westin Hotel. Friday evening of the start of the
event was Fiday the 29th with (14) scheduled bouts and all of them from
different styles of Martial Arts. The event was kicked off by two young
Juniors who were competing for the Junior Ground Submission
Championship Belt. A.J. Schmidt from Craig Smith Karate/Kickboxing
(Team Smith) won that bout in the First round with a Tap Out from a
Choke Hold to another fighter from Va. Beach Va. A.J.Schmidt actually
fought again against the same kid later in the weekend in another final
in Junior MMA Championship. A.J.Schmidt being victorious in that bout
as well with a decision after all rounds completed. A.J. also competed
in the Karate portin of the event where he also won another
Championship in Point Fighting. The remaining bouts of the evening were
very exciting with other styles on that evenings card such as,
Kickboxing Full Contact Rules above the waist, Kickboxing Low kick
rules above and below the waist, also MT rules with clinching and knees
as well as kicks and pucnhes above and below the waist. Then
there was the MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) Juniors and Adults, as well as
Boxing Matches and a Regular Karate Tournament all that weekend. The
Final Team Results were:
Top Teams from around the Country and locally for the U.S.Classic Championships:
Teams with the most Champions in Kickboxing,MMA,Karate
1.) Team Smith (Va. Beach Va.) = 20 Champions (Kickboxing/MMA,Karate)
2.) Team Greubel (Augusta GA.) = 14 Champions (Kickboxing/MMA)
2.) Team Thompson (Va. Beach Va. ) 14 Champions (Karate)
4.) Team Russia (Russia and out of New York with Bars Boxing Team) = 13 Champions (Kickboxing/MMA)
5.) Team Dennis ( Hampton Va.) = 10 Champions (Karate)
6.) Team Ron Smith (Va. Beach) = 10 Champions (Karate)
7.) Team Espisito (Richmond Va.) = 8 Champions (Kickboxing/MMA)
7.) Team Gibson (Roanoke Va.) = 8 Champions (Kickboxing/MMA/Karate)
9.) Team BlackHawk (Chesapeake Va.) = 7 Champions (Kickboxing/MMA)
10.) Team Aguire (Chesapeake Va.) = 6 Champions (Kickboxing/MMA)
10.) Team Eastern Academy (Va. Beach Va.) = 6 Champions (Kickboxing/MMA/Karate)
11.) Team Alexander (Fredericksburg Va.) = 2 Champions (Kickboxing)
11.) Team Copeland (Greensboro N.C.) = 2 Champions (Kickboxing)
11.) Team North Carolina ( Triangle of N.C. Area) = 2 Champions (Kickboxing/MMA)
11.) Team Plant (Tenn) = 2 Champions (Kickboxing/MMA)
11.) Team Dark (Va. Beach Va.) = 2 Champions (Kickboxing/Karate)
The
Remaining Teams which were (17) others from around the Country as
far Northwest as Chicago IL. South to Florida Totaling (34) Teams
in all with (255) Fighters.
This
event also put on the VERY First Tag Team Kickboxing Championships
where a Draw between Two Teams from Va. were competing for. Team Smith
from Va. Beach as well as a Team from Roanoke Va. competed in the First
Amateur Tag Team Kickboxing Championships for a Draw. Also for only the
second time in this Country, there was a Junior MMA event which had
only been promoted one other time in this Country, and that being here
in Va. last year. Stay tuned for more info on the soon to be Va. Beach
Sports Festival every Year coming soon.
