NJ Branch “Alliance” US National UWA Martial Arts Elite Team Wright’s Raymond Wilkes and Winfield Corpening took 1st place at the Don Nagle Open World American Isshin-Ryu Karate Championship held at Marist High School Bayonne, New Jersey.
Competitors from Team Wright came from both Bayonne and Jersey City, NJ. Hanshi Grand Master Dennis A. Wright, 9th Dan, who is presently residing in Shelby, North Carolina was on hand as an Arbitrator for the tournament. The tournament promoter was Hanshi Ralph Passero, 9th Dan, who is A.O.K.A president. The rules in point Karate (sport) was “controlled techniques” allowed with no contact to the face. The first time that excessive contact was made to the face, a warning was issued the, second time resulted in disqualification. There was 1st to 4th places. Fighters had to fight for 3rd and 4th place.
NJ State Director for the “Alliance” (www.usnmat.net) and UWA Martial Arts Head Coach, Grand Master (Hanshi) Austin Wright Sr. was on hand to motivate and coach his Team to success. Wright recently promoted and publically announced (at the tournament) that Sensei’s Tim Prisk was promoted to 4th Dan and Jersey City’s UWA Chief Instructor Donald Price moved to 2nd Dan. Both instructors earned their black belt ranks in Isshin-Ryu Karate and Universal Warrior Arts System. Hanshi Dennis Wright was on hand checking Isshin-Ryu Katas (Forms). Hanshi Dennis is the “Head” Panel Director for the UWA Martial Arts Federation of America who oversee Isshin-Ryu Karate promotions. He has teamed up with his son Austin Wright Sr. 43 years of Martial Arts since 1990 and is A Living Legend in the A.O.K.A. and Isshin-Ryu Hall of Famer.
The Rising Stars of the Tournament were Winfield Corpening who went unstoppable, and dominated the 18-34 Novice White and Yellow Kumite (sparring) Belt Division while “Ray Ray” Wilkes who placed 1st in the Special Needs Kata (Forms) Green Belt Adult Division.
Other winners include:
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Jerry Asatryan actually came close to taking 1st place, but not enough judges agreed in the Kumite Green Belt over 35 Division. Later, his opponent scored and Jerry placed 2nd.
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Alex Mammas Brown Belt Jr. Brown Belt Division placed 2nd Kumite 2nd Kata.
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Jack Oliver, placed 4th Kumite and Kata, Esteban Gudino placed 3rd in Sparring in the over 35 Division Green Belts, Jeff Van Worart, White Belt, placed 3rd in Sparring the 18-34 year old Novice White/Yellow Division. Jeff was promoted to Yellow Belt. Honorable Mentioned was Christopher Adelson
All students are members of the Universal Warrior Martial Arts Federation of America Teaching Traditional Asian Martial Arts certified and licensed by the International Director Grand Master Austin Wright Sr. world renowned Champion and top rated Sensei’s Joe McNamara 4th Dan, (National Grand Champ) Ismail Haddad 4th Dan (Judo) Tim Prisk 4th Dan (Isshin-Ryu) Ken Thompson Sr. 2nd Dan, Donald Price 2nd Dan, Assistant Instructor and MMA Female Grappling Coach Rachel Roman and newest Woman’s Kickboxing Instructor, Samantha DeAngelo, former USMC Veteran. We specialize in Traditional Arts, Adult Women’s Fitness Kick Boxing, Team Competition, Takedowns, Striking, and Special Needs Children Ages 3 to Adult. For more info visit us at www.uwa-martialarts.com, www.Bayonnekickboxing.com, www.BayonneMMA.com, or www.JerseyCityMMA.com. You can also visit us on YouTube or Facebook for info call (201) 437-1820.
