Club gets kick out of sparring
Steven Fernandez
Issue date: 4/2/07 Section: Sports
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Daily Lobo
Every year, some of the nation's best fighters gather in Albuquerque to showcase their abilities.
The UNM Karate Club competed in the 2007 United States Karate Alliance Nationals Tournament at the Albuquerque Marriott Pyramid North this weekend.
UNM brown belt Amanda Townsend - who won nationals in the form competition and was runner-up in sparring in her division - said it is a thrill to participate in a prestigious event.
"To be here, where all of it is happening, is so cool," she said. "We get to see all kinds of black belts from different places and talk to them."
Townsend said being a national champion is unreal.
"It hasn't quite set in yet," she said. "It's crazy."
The national tournament hosted fighters from all over the country. The UNM Karate Club had participants in divisions including
purple, brown and black belts.
Javier Gonzalez, head trainer for the UNM club, said Albuquerque is privileged to host high-caliber fighters.
"It is quite an opportunity and an honor more than anything for all of us," he said. "It's a huge tournament with really good
competitors."
UNM Karate Club President Thuso Simon said it's great to see his peers have the chance to test their skills on such a large stage.
"It's just amazing," he said. "They're just normal people who hear about the club through their friends, or just come check it out."
Simon didn't compete this weekend because of a rib injury.
UNM black belt Uriel Lapcevic had one of his events cut short after he was disqualified for trying to head butt his opponent in a fight.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 9 of 12
amanda
posted 4/02/07 @ 8:36 AM MST
I'm pretty sure that's not Chris Hawkes in that picture.
uriel lapcevic
posted 4/02/07 @ 8:53 AM MST
Yea... I know it's not Chris Hawkes. It was some guy from Texas named Eric I think. Chris is way too light to be in the heavyweight bracket.
Nice picture!
Bily-soke
Javier (Bily-Soke)
posted 4/02/07 @ 11:25 AM MST
Steven Fernandez-
I am extremely disappointed in the way you manipulate the story with the title. the fact the story had nothing but good remarks and facts about the students' performance shows your choice of title to be poor. (Continued…)
Bily-soke
Javier (Bily-Soke)
posted 4/02/07 @ 11:36 AM MST
Steven Fernandez-
I am extremely disappointed in the way you manipulate the story with the title. the fact the story had nothing but good remarks and facts about the students' performance shows your choice of title to be poor. (Continued…)
Bily-soke
Javier (Bily-Soke)
posted 4/02/07 @ 12:20 PM MST
Steve,
It took one of my students to clarify the title of the story. I now get what you intended with the title. Maybe a different one would have not offer the misunderstanding on my part. (Continued…)
JRTaylor
posted 4/11/07 @ 8:03 PM MST
That title bothers me. I thought it was the weapons have to be out of the tournament or its meant karate group got kicked out of the sparring tournamnet? Careful with the title. (Continued…)
c
posted 4/12/07 @ 12:28 AM MST
i think it's a pun. i might be wrong.
Sara
posted 4/29/07 @ 8:11 AM MST
I think people make too much of a big deal about this because it's the first article I have ever read about the karate club, so I think credit should be given to the reporter for taking time out of his life to go and watch when not many other people do. (Continued…)
Sara
posted 4/29/07 @ 3:25 PM MST
I did read the article, and I liked it a lot. And he did represent your club in a positive light... I was just browsing the comments, and thought your comment and recanting of said comment was quite amusing. (Continued…)
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