ONTARIO, CALIFORNIA – The 2009 Compete Nationals, hosted by veteran promoter Mohamad Jahan-vash, kicked off the NASKA World Tour on the weekend of February 27 to March 1st. The event also rated under the NMAC was held in the Ontario Convention Centre for the third year, this year’s event was represented by competitors from South and Central America, Canada and of course, the United States. The effects of the unpredictable and unstable economy were definitely evident as many of NASKA’s regulars were noticeably absent. Nevertheless, for every loss, there was a gain as newer talents had their time to shine in sunny California.

Traditionally, the Compete Nationals serves as an “unveiling” event for new routines, new teams and rosters and new names and faces to some divisions. Competing as a Junior Black Belt for the last eight years, JPM’s Rudy Reynon made his highly anticipated debut in the Adult divisions. Reynon’s creative display of speed and finesse had everyone’s cameras rolling, each performance earning him standing praise from both the audience and fellow competitors. Despite this impressive effort, he fell short of walking out victorious as he placed right behind Josh Kahan in Forms and Kalman Csoka in Weapons. Speaking of new routines... Marc Canonizado, who is known for swinging his kamas in his Weapons divisions, came out swinging with another bladed Weapon – the sword. Canonizado handily won the Men’s Extreme Weapons division and his new routine and weapon earned him top honours in the Adult Black Belt Weapons Grand. Also making noteworthy debuts were Jennifer Espina who made her debut as an Adult and Jessica Brew who also made her debut as an Adult. Brew, who rarely makes appearances at NASKA tournaments, made her presence known as she reigned victorious in the Women’s Traditional Forms AND the Women’s Forms Grand, defeating the ever-talented Caitlin Dechelle. Several teams also unveiled their new rosters. Team Paul Mitchell (JPM) unveiled the debut of Kalman Csoka, Austin Crain and Marc Canonizado as they sported the recognizable black and white uniforms. Mark Russo and Bob Leiker revealed their roster in their new Amerikick Team. Some surprises included the acquiring of Cory Lutkus (formerly of Straight Up) and the Kahan Brothers (formerly of AKA) to this up-and-coming team.

What do Jack Felton and Scott Wu have in common? They both captured back-to-back Grand Championships. Both fresh with Grand Championships wins at the previous week’s Golden Gate Internationals, both Felton and Wu wanted their dominance to be seen (and heard) to the Sport Karate masses. After a fierce and exhilarating overtime battle with Willie Hicks in the semi-final, Felton earned a spot in the finals to face Ross Levine for the bragging rights of being the 2009 Compete Men’s Fighting Grand Champion. Despite Levine’s size advantage, Felton’s timing was too much for Levine as Felton outscored Levine 6 to 3. Felton not only walked out with the title, but also with the $1000 cash prize for the victory. The ever popular Scott Wu, representing Pro Rank, was gunning for a “three-peat at Compete”. With one Grand Championship already under his belt for this year, Wu’s momentum continued to flow as his intense Traditional form eclipsed the efforts of the equally intense Andrew Cabilan and the dynamic Marc Canonizado.

Traditional Forms seemed to be the favoured style of choice. With Wu and Brew capturing Grand Championships with their respective Traditional routines, it was no surprise that the Traditional weapons handling of the diminutive Ryan Wells and the powerful open hand kata of Olivia Wicker would be the winners for their respective Grand Championship divisions. Not to be done, however, were the contemporary routines of Pro Rank’s Tyler Weaver and AKA’s Samantha Suddeth. Weaver, who was fairly scarce on the tournament scene last year, came back strong with a dynamic and solid structured Extreme form which garnered him a Grand Championship win in 12 and Under Forms. Suddeth, on the other hand, twirled and spun her bo with dexterity to claim the 12 and Under Weapons Grand. As an added bonus, Suddeth also claimed the 14K Gold Star medal by edging both Wicker and Wells.

Other noteworthy wins include Marissa Mayer claiming the Women’s Fighting Grand Championship with a victory over Tara Van Deusen and the Kahan Brothers winning Team Synchronized Forms. Kevin Thompson continued his dominance in the 30 and Over divisions by winning both the 30 and Over Weapons and Forms Grand Championships.

The Compete Nationals continues to be one of the most prestigious events in the West Coast. Being the only West Coast tournament on the NASKA World Tour & the NMAC, the predominantly East Coast based competitors hold the Compete Nationals in the highest regard, making the long airline trek worth the trip.

--Andrew Cabilan