October 25, 2009

Club Remembers Grandmaster at Memorial Event

Martial artists traveled from across Ontario and the United States to remember 10th degree black belt
Glenn Kwan who passed away two years ago.  The grandmaster of karate was well known in the martial
arts world and many came to Barrie to remember the man and compete in his honour.  

The inaugural Glenn Kwan Memorial Tournament held on October 24th, organized by Midland resident Dan
Dusome, attracted over 100 competitors to the event including students from the local martial arts club RMA
Karate Centres. 

The event had a special connection to the club as RMA Karate Centres started with the help of Glenn Kwan
where he taught many of his black belts up until his passing.  

Purple belt Samantha M continues to prove she is at the top of her game placing first in weapons, first in musical
weapons, first in Chinese forms, first in traditional kata, first in sparring and winning kyu belt grand champion in
the weapons division.  

Blue belt Jessica C gave a strong performance placing first in sparring, second in traditional kata and second in
weapons.  Older sister, red belt Felisha C also gave her best placing second in sparring, third in traditional kata
and third in weapons.  

Green belt Rachel P was all smiles after placing second in sparring, second in weapons, third in Kempo forms and third
in traditional kata.  Fellow green belt Tyler M-Z placed first in weapons, first in sparring and was a finalist in the
traditional kata division.  Sister red belt Brooke Z placed first in musical kata, first in weapons, first in traditional kata
and first in sparring.  6 year old younger sister Ella Z placed first in weapons, third in traditional kata and third in sparring.  

Yellow belt William M continues to improve in his competition placing second in sparring and third in the traditional
kata division.  

14 year old black belt Tressa Y was the last junior black belt promoted by Kwan and she held that close to her heart
while competing at the memorial event.  Tressa placed first in musical open, first in musical weapons, first in traditional
kata, first in traditional weapons, first in Chinese forms, first in sparring and second in Kempo forms.  She further went
on to win the junior black belt grand championship title.  

Head instructor Craig Ridout competed at the event in the sparring divisions.  The third degree black belt placed first in
the 35 & over black belt sparring advancing him to compete for the grand champion title.  Ridout won the black belt
grand championship title bringing the total of grand champion titles for RMA Karate to 3 out of 4 at the memorial event.  

RMA Karate students proudly display the medals won at the Glenn Kwan Memorial Tournament.  Ranging in age from 6 years to 14 years, plus the head instructor, the 10 competitors won 25 firsts, 8 seconds and 7 thirds bringing their medal total to 40.