On March 21st, 2009 at Rider University NJ, several Member of the U.S. National Martial Arts Team NJ “Alliance” competed in Kumite, Forms and Weapons at the Mercer County National World Martial Arts Championship.
In attendance were Master Jose Torres, NAFMA Promoter, Grandmaster Floyd Patterson, and Kung-Fu Sifus. Also, well known Tang-Soo-Do and Tae-Kwon-Do, Karate and Kempo Masters. The Tournament Director was Sensei Ivan Mendez.
The highlight of the day was seeing the famous Grandmaster Joe Lewis who is a Living Kick-Boxing Legend and Karate Pioneer. He was on hand to congratulate Martial Art Winners. In fact, Lewis came up during Austin’s fathers / Sensei (Teacher) Dennis Wright Sr. is Era.
Remembering, movie stars like Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, Bill Wallace and Don the Dragon Wilson on the Tournament scene. Well, Austin Wright Sr. has networked or taken seminars with most of these Huge Stars. Just recently, Wright has been placed in the same Martial Arts World Hall of Fame in Florida under Grandmaster Y.K. Kim. In fact, all of these Martial Arts Stars have something in common; after 30 years or more of Martial Arts Training and winning numerous Championships, they created their own American Martial Arts Systems and have authored books. Chuck Norris and Austin Wright both served as Members Armed Forces for the U.S Air Force but during different generations. Austin remembers (as a kid) “Bayonne Best” Karate and Martial Artist competing at Madison Square Garden, NY under Grandmaster Aron Banks promotions as well as the late Thomas Lapuppet who promoted Kick-Boxing in New York.
Wright states, his Martial Arts success comes from these Pioneers, Teachers and Instructors before him. He has been very fortunate to have been brought up and trained by an awesome Bayonne, NJ and US Air Force (Seymour Johnson, AFB NC), Karate, Kick-Boxing, Ju-Jutsu and Boxing Coaches. Because of these Pioneers and Instructors like his Dad, Austin has been able to train Top Rated Athletes and Warriors in the Country at the highest Level of competition. He always keeps God, above man, states Wright.
Results as follows:
Super Kid Johnny O’Brien, Jr. Brown Belt 1st Kyu, 7 years old, has the courage of a Lion, with injuries he still won first place in both the advanced Kumite (Sparring) and Weapons Brown / Black Belt Divisions. He also placed 3rd in Forms out of 40 Kids.
Women’s Division
Lisa Doria, Blue Belt placed 1st in the Kumite Division and outpointed an excellent Female fighter from New York. She placed 2nd in Kata (Forms)
Lakesha George, Adult, Yellow Belt, a New Comer and first time competitor who is a certified Public School Teacher at a Grammar School in New York City. She placed 1st in the Forms and 1st in the Yellow / White Belt Kumite Division.
Sensei Priscilla Wright, 2nd Dan, 17 years old placed 3rd in Kumite and Forms in the Adult (18-34) Division and out of 20 Adult Black Belts from various Styles of Kung-Fu, Tae-Kwon-Do and Karate.
Priscilla’s Coach / Dad intentionally placed her in the tough female Kumite Divisions to enhance her fighting ability and competition skills. This event was her 3rd Dan Rank Qualifier. Despite competing out of the 16-17 year old Teens Division, Priscilla is fighting and Forms were on point. Her skills were extremely impressive stated fans and crowds who cheered her on. In fact, all of The NJ U.S. Team Coaches and Players were satisfied with Priscilla’s performance and results. She was labeled a Princes Female Warrior. Priscilla used her quick hammer fist strikes and powerful lifting up thrusts kicks to score most of her points in her opponents’ chest. Despite the controversial calls which should have went into overtime, Priscilla rose above the occasion and showed sportsmanship. She stated, “I’ll be back”. Her father / Sensei promoted Priscilla to Sensei 3rd Dan Rank after the competition was over.
Honorable Mention went to Chris Simpson, in Forms / Weapons. Joseph Bizarroque, Sparring and Javel Sosa Sparring.
NJ State Director for the U.S. National Team Austin Wright Sr., Sensei Vito Doria 4th Dan Coaches Gary O’Brien and Chris Simpson Sr. were on hand to Coach the UWA Martial Arts Team to Victory.
All Students train at the Main UWA HQ’s at the After School UWA Martial Arts Black Belt Leadership Academy at 250 Broadway (10th Street) Bayonne under the Direct Supervision of Grand Master Dr. Austin Wright Sr. and A Highly Qualified Team of UWA Black Belt Instructors.
