THE NMAC had a fantastic 2008 season, with over 70 tournaments & 16 Conferences throughout Bermuda, Ireland, USA & Canada. We had some of the very best listed on our site this year and I congratulate you all for a great year! I would also like to thank everyone for making 2008 a successful year and we look forward for a greater season up ahead.

The circuit ended the year with a a positive & fantastic event in Toronto. The Toronto Tournament of Champions continues to grow every year and this past November was no different.

--Mike Palitti

TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA – When people think of Canada in November, things like “snow” or “freezing” come to mind. However, at the NASKA “A” rated and NMAC “Elite AAA” Toronto Tournament of Champions, event held in Toronto , Ontario on November 29, the temperature was definitely turned up a notch as over 400 competitors and 700 spectators filled the gym to get the fire started.

The Toronto Tournament of Champions, hosted by veteran competitor and WKA World Champion, Mike Palitti was well attended by competitors from surrounding cities Ontario cities, neighbouring states of New York , Pennsylvania and Michigan and the neighbouring French-speaking province of Quebec . A delegation from Pierre Saulnier’s Karate Sunfuki and Clermont Poulin’s Studio Unis made the seven hour trek to Toronto to display their skills in the many divisions that the tournament had to offer. Noticeably visible in large numbers was the group representing Team East-West Karate headed by Christine Magliocco. This Mississauga based proved their strength in numbers as they won the coveted “Most Supporting Club” title this year. The group (usually seen wearing red, white and blue outfits) has been a fixture not only in Ontario tournaments but also in NASKA tournaments this year as they have attended several World rated events this year. In addition, competitors from warmer climatized areas such as Venezuela and California made their way up the land of sub-zero temperatures.

One has to mention Mike Palitti being a ‘veteran’ competitor because it is that designation that brought out ‘veteran’ familiar faces to the tournament. Often seen running around from ring to ring was Mike’s brother, multi-time NBL World Champion, John Palitti – doing anything and everything to keep the tournament moving smoothly. Back from Silver and Bronze medal placings at the WKA was Michigan ’s Dan Cousineau who trekked four hours to dominate the 30 – 39 divisions. A staple to the local Ontario Sport Karate scene, it came to no surprise that multi-time NASKA World Weapons Champion Mike Bernardo showed his support by lending his time to judge the multitude of divisions that took place throughout the day. For those that didn’t know, Bernardo revolutionized Weapons competition with his dynamic use of the bo staff. To this day, competitors such as Casey Marks, Lauren Kearney and Becca Ross are reflective of the impression that Bernardo has on present and future competitors.

The Toronto Tournament is a tournament like no other. Rarely seen in Sport Karate tournaments, the tournament offered divisions exclusively for Kung Fu stylists of all ages and ranks. With these special divisions, it came to no surprise that over 150 kung fu competitors came out to represent and show their skills in the specialized divisions. These divisions were definitely eye openers for those who have seldom or never watched traditional and contemporary Kung Fu stylists. The audience definitely showed their appreciation for the competitors.

Often overlooked and never recognized are the Under Black Belts of our sport. These equally talented and passionate competitors deserve their day in the spotlight and at this tournament, they had their time to shine. Young and talented competitor Toronto-area competitor, Andrea Tyrell, captured the hearts of the audience with her fancy kicks and tricks. But it was the strong performance by Naomie Wong from Clermont Poulin’s Studio Unis that received the judge’s nod this day. Not only did she take home the Grand Championship hardware back to Quebec but also the cash prize that was given to her as a reward for her efforts.

Another unique division offered by the Toronto Tournament is the Triple Team Kata Challenge. This isn’t your ordinary Team Kata division! Unlike “synchronized forms” or “team demo”, the Triple Team Kata Challenge involves teams of three competitors competing individually for the team. The team’s total scores determine the outcome of the division. The winning team in each tournament wins a $100 expense fee. Along with the Circle of Friends tournament in Hamilton and Mike Bernardo’s Ontario Grand Nationals in London , The Toronto Tournament serves as the third and final leg of the Challenge where the winning overall team takes home the Grand Prize of $500 for the year. The winning overall team’s scores are cumulative for the three tournaments which make up the Challenge. For the third year running, Team RAM (consisting of Ryan Young, Alexa Littleton and Mark Santoro) captured 1st Place victories at the first two tournaments, narrowly edging Team Pro Rank Canada (consisting of Andrew Cabilan, Lawrence Collymore and Ana-Maria Iancu) on both occasions. However, Team RAM’s domination in the Triple Team Kata Challenge was met with obstacles at this tournament when many new teams decided to throw themselves in the mix. Cedric Ferland and his group from Studio Unis/Team Cerio had a strong showing and a surprisingly random team of Nick Merlin, Jerrica Mitchell and Tressa Young also made the Challenge the division to watch. Rumour was already going around that Andrew Cabilan was stacking this division with ANOTHER Team Pro Rank entry and the talks were wondering who the third competitor would be. It was already clear that Cabilan, along with Lawrence Collymore would be part of the trio but lurking in the shadows was the surprise competitor – NASKA World Champion Scott Wu of California. Wu, seemingly unknown to local Ontario competitors, made a strong showing and lasting impression as he performed his traditional form, garnering the highest scores for the division and anchoring Team Pro Rank Elite to the 1st Place victory for this tournament. Despite this victory, Team RAM’s cumulative scores from the three tournaments topped Team Pro Rank Canada’s cumulative scores by three one-hundredths and for the third year in a row, Team RAM walked away with the Triple Team Kata Challenge cash.

Now on to the competition. Similar to a NASKA World tournament, each Junior Forms and Fighting division was divided into Girls and Boys. Team Straight Up’s Nick Merlin walked out with multiple victories in his respective Forms and Weapons divisions. Family Martial Arts’ Sierra Lourenco also had a strong showing with a 1st Place win in 13 – 14 Girls Forms and 2nd Place in Musical Forms, losing to Nick Merlin by a small margin. Team NAWKKA’s Jessica D’Antimo of Hamilton walked out as the champion of the 15 – 17 Girls Forms division after a nail-biting tiebreaker. Ottawa ’s Brianna Ouelette performed an intense traditional form which earned her top honours in a very large talented field in the 11-12 Girls’ Forms division. Being a judge of the Junior Forms Grand Championship definitely wasn’t an envious task as the line-up consisted of ten strong competitors, each of them hungry for the $200 cash prize. Being last year’s Grand Champion, Lourenco had the favourable position of going up last in a big division but it was Merlin’s strong and well-choreographed Musical Weapons routine that would get the judges’ nod and the victory. Team Pro Rank’s Lawrence Collymore won the runner-up position.

Scott Wu, who trekked all the way from California , made his presence known as he dominated the Men’s Weapons and Traditional Forms with his strong routines, beating out Quebec favourite Cedric Ferland in Forms and edging out the up-and-coming talent of Adam Molnar in Weapons. Jerrica Mitchell, who recently came back from the WAKO Junior World Championships in Naples , Italy , appeared in her first competition as an Adult competitor. She captured the Women’s Traditional Forms division, narrowly edging Ana-Maria Iancu. Montreal ’s Marie-Eve DiCaire trampled over the competition in the Women’s Weapons division to earn her a spot in the Grand Championship. In a region where traditional forms reign supreme, it came to a surprise that Adult Musical Forms was stacked with eight competitors (which are seven more than expected). Another newly turned adult, Mark Santoro captured top honours in this division, edging out Cedric Ferland by one one-hundredths of a point. Three-time Grand Champion, Andrew Cabilan bowed out and elected not to defend his title this year. Jerrica Mitchell also bowed out due to a sparring injury. This left the Adult Black Belt Forms Grand Championship with a field of only three competitors – Mark Santoro, Marie-Eve DiCaire and Scott Wu. When the smoke cleared and settled, Santoro and Wu wound up tying each other and were forced to run their routines again. After the second round, the judges pointed in favour of Mark Santoro, garnering him his first Adult Black Belt Grand Championship win.

Finally, the fighting divisions got off without a hitch and each division was filled with talent. In the Men’s Grand Championship, Ottawa ’s Marc Monsour battled James Heaton, also of Ottawa . Despite Heaton’s size advantage, Monsour’s speed and accuracy overcame that obstacle and Monsour blitzed his way to a 5 – 1 victory. This was the only point scored on Monsour all day as he won all of his matches 5 – 0 prior to this match. In the Women’s counterpart, back from a WKA Gold medal victory, Michelle Antolic of Stoney Creek battled Marie-Eve DiCaire of Montreal ’s Karate Sunfuki . When all was said and done, Michelle Antolic walked out as the victor with score of 5 – 1 and was $200 richer.

The Toronto Tournament of Champions is surely to become Canada ’s next premier event. With increasing attendance every year, it will be no surprise that next year’s event will be bigger and better. Slated to be held on Saturday, November 28, 2009, the tournament is intending to move to a hotel location to accommodate the increasing numbers of competitors coming in from out-of-town. With well reputed promoters such as Quebec Open’s Clermont Poulin and Ontario Grand Nationals’ Mike Bernardo paving the way, Mike Palitti is surely going to follow in their footsteps as another exemplary promoter. This is also an advanced reminder to pack that extra sweater during this time of year. The only hot place in Toronto during this time of the year is the tournament itself!

--Andrew Cabilan