Schoolwide Tournament Continues to Grow

Self-confidence, self-development, comraderie, and fun were the descriptive words used by spectators and competitors in this past Saturday’s martial arts tournament. The American Martial Arts Institute in New Hartford, NY held their annual school-wide tournament which included over 60 competitors ages 6 to 74.

The American Martial Arts Institutute is under the direction of its founder, Grandmaster Clifford C. Crandall, Jr. and teaches four separate and distinct styles: American Eagle Style (empty hand), Takenouchi-Hangan-Ryu-Matsuno-Crandall Iaido (samurai sword), American Eagle Cane Style, and Americanized Eagle Kendo. More can be learned about these styles at AMAI-EagleStyle.com, in the American Martial Arts Institute Guidebook, and in the textbook for each style.

This full day of activities involved competitors for empty-hand martial arts, traditional sword, cane stylists as well as Kendo stylists. With 21 adult men and women black belts judging the two rings throughout the day, the event coordinator, Headmaster Eric Stalloch.

The empty-hand kata competition, which represents defending against imaginary attackers, demonstrated the individuals’ balance, power and flow which was exhibited even by the 6-year-old competitors. There were first and second place trophies,

The weapons' kata divisions allowed the competors to demonstrate their skills in a traditional kata using bo, sai, kama, tonfa, escrima, eku, naginata, sword, halfmoon staff, or sword. This was for all ages who were green belts or higher in rank.

There were also open style divisions which had students from all four styles competing against one another.

There was an atmosphere of good sportsmanship and support among all the competitors..

Grandmaster Crandall said, “I believe there are many personal growth benefits in taking the martial arts and it’s an event like this that confirms that is true.” Crandall went on to say the quote by Theodore Roosevelt, “speak softly and carry a big stick” is still relevant. That in our society we wish to always be kind to others, yet we must maintain the skills and confidence to defend ourselves and protect our family if necessary. These skills and confidence can be seen at a tournament like this.

While the American Martial Arts Institute's main location is 6400 square feet with three large training rooms, next year's tournment will be held in a large gym, locally, to accomodate the tournament's growth.

Weapons – Green, Blue, Purple – 6-12

First place – Josey Bauer

Second Place – Elijah Case

Weapons – Brown Belt – 6-12

First place – Ethan Fanelli

Second Place – Tess Kloidt-Gilligan

Weapons – Black Belt – 6-17

First Place – Caden Salsberg

Second Place – A.J. Case

Weapons – White, Yellow, Green – 13+

First Place – Jayden Silva

Second Place – Robert Mineo

Weapons – Blue, Purple – 13+

First Place – Joseph Schmidt

Second Place – Craig Budoff

Weapons – Brown Belts – 13+

First Place – Kevin Grant

Second Place – Jenna Smith

Weapons – Black Belt – 13+

First Place – Shana King

Second Place – Zachary Slade

Empty Hand – White, Orange, Yellow – 6-12

First Place – Vincent Pardi

Second Place – Leela Dean

Empty Hand – Green, Blue, Purple – 6-12

First Place – Joél Cabral

Second Place – Pierce Landon

Empty Hand – Brown Belt – 6-12

First Place – Ethan Fanelli

Empty Hand – Black Belt – 6-17

First Place – A.J. Case

Second Place – Camila Rodriguez-Plate

Empty Hand – White, Yellow, Green – 13+

First Place – Robert Mineo

Second Place – Stephanie Smith

Empty Hand – Blue, Purple – 13+

First Place – Craig Budoff

Empty Hand – Brown Belt – 13+

First Place – Lilli Van Etten

Second Place – Jenna Smith

Empty Hand – Black Belt – Adult Rank

First Place – Zachary Slade

Second Place – Caitlin Mazzotta

Open Style – Beginner, Intermediate

First Place – Steve Riley

Second Place – Matthew Michaels

Open Style – Advanced

First Place – Sabrina Crandall

Second Place – Peter Hotvedt