weekend results and what's coming this week...

Subleague qualifier #1—

DFCC team members did very well at the Subleague qualifier tournament this weekend.

Ryan, Jessee, and I made the trip to coach for our team and were made very proud of our athletes’ performance. It was a long day, but a great event.

--Thomas Crawford won 1^st place in the No-Gi division and 2^nd place in the white belt Gi division.

--Ian King won 2^nd place in his No Gi division

--Riley Black won 1^st place in his No Gi division as well as the trophy for fastest submission in the youth and teen divisions. He secured a 7 second guillotine choke on his opponent.

--Maddie Patrick won 4^th place in the kids’ No Gi division.

--John Dennis did not place in his division, but still displayed determination and toughness, being in a division against much larger opponents.

--Taylor Patrick was sorely disappointed that she did not get to compete due to having no opponents in her division. She will try again at the next event.

Thomas, Ian, Riley, and Maddie all qualify for the championships. Our team points should put us pretty high on the list. (Please register as DFCC for all future events)

Also, this is the third time DFCC has brought home Subleague’s fastest submission award. I am not sure if any other dojo/gym has accomplished such a feat.  

Upcoming this week

In November while in Russia, I became the first American inducted into the International Club of Leading Specialists of Martial Arts and took part in the International Martial Arts Festival/Conference. While there, many connections were made with instructors, fight promoters from other countries and regions like Russia, China, Mongolia, Thailand, and others.

I was also privileged enough to be invited to do seminars for several martial arts schools in Russia while there. I have worked many years to develop a good standing relationship with the martial artists in Russia.

As a result of those relations, our dojo has been invited to bring a team of our fighters to compete in a new MMA promotion in China. The event is being hosted by Russian and Chinese promoters working together. To truly solidify the international status of the event, they would like to have fighters from the U.S. DFCC is the U.S. fight team they have requested.

The promoters are paying the way for three of our fighters and one coach. We are doing fundraisers to come up with money for two other coaches.

This Friday at 7pm, we will do a push-up-a-thon to help raise money. We would like that all of our members recognize that this opportune trip to China is not just beneficial to the fighters and coaches that go this time, but also for future members that someday get their chance as a result of this international event.

Everyone in our dojo is part of the team. Our team must support all of its members. When a fighter wins at an event, it is a win for the entire dojo. This time when our fighters win in China, it is a win for our dojo and a win for our country. Please pick up a push-up-a-thon pledge form and take part in the fundraising events and show your support for your team.

See you at the dojo--

-Sensei-