Arnold Martial Arts Festival: 3,000 Men, Women And Youth Compete In 26 Disc
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 2009
COLUMBUS, OHIO – For 12 years martial artists from all around have converged on the city of Columbus to test their skills at the Arnold Martial Arts Festival March 6-8 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
With more than 3,000 men, women and youth expected to compete in 26 martial arts disciplines the Arnold Martial Arts Festival has become the largest martial arts event in the Midwest.
“The 2009 Arnold Martial Arts Festival will be incredible,” said festival director, Terrence ‘Tokey’ Hill. “This year we’ve improved the festival by listening to what the participants and fans had to say. We’ve added disciplines to include as much of the martial arts community as possible and changed our host hotel so we’re closer to the convention center.” Hill added.
“The Arnold Martial Arts Festival showcases athletes at all levels and abilities, on a world-level stage, in events sanctioned by the National Governing Bodies for Olympic Sports. We annually welcome representatives from USA Tae Kwon Do, USA National Karate Federation, USA Judo, and Chinese styles are also well represented.” said Hill. “Students who train at community centers, schools and dojos will compete in a major event, with an opportunity to learn from some the best martial artists in the world.” Hill added.
Directing the grappling portion of the festival, John Saylor said, “The Arnold World Grappling Championship features the submission arts including ju jitsu, catch wrestling and judo. We’re a NAGA (North American Grappling Association) ranked event with more than 300 gi and no-gi divisions. The No-gi absolute winner will take home $1000 and a championship belt. On Sunday UFC veteran Jorge Gurgel will conduct a no-gi submission grappling seminar”.
Hill is a six-time national karate champion and is the first American to win a world level gold medal in karate. He was Olympic Coach of the year in 1999. Saylor is a three-time national judo champion, and was coach of the U.S. national judo training squad at the Olympic Training Center for seven years. He was US Judo Association Coach of the Year in 1987.
A highlight of festival has always been the elite martial arts celebrities, including UFC superstars, who come to demonstrate their secrets to success in the Friday workshop and seminars session at the Arnold Martial Arts Festival headquarters hotel, the Holiday Inn Downtown Capital Square.
This year’s seminar and workshop instructors include:
Dana White President of the UFC will be on hand Friday for a Q & A session with special guest, former UFC Heavyweight Champion, Randy Couture.
Shonie Carter will be covering subjects in mixed martial arts that include Thai kickboxing, Greco-Roman wrestling and Judo with elements of catch wrestling as taught to him by Tony Ceccine. He has been featured on Spike TV’s The Ultimate Fighter Season 4, and has won many world titles in mixed martial arts, national titles in kickboxing and Olympic pankration and is a former all-American wrestler.
Kevin Kearns will be demonstrating the training techniques used by some of today’s top mixed martial artist athletes like Kenny Florian, Stephen Bonnar and Mark Dellgatto. Kearns fitness series is designed to elevate core strength, stamina and show techniques. Two hours of extremeconditioning will give participants an approach they use every day in the gym.
Jason David Frank is a world renowned actor who played Tommy Oliver, the Green Ranger, in the original series The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. Currently he holds a 6th degree black belt and owns/operates 4 successful martial arts schools that specialize in changing and influencing the lives of kids and adults, in a positive manner, through the martial arts. Frank will be conducting a free seminar on Muay Thai kickboxing. He has earned the title of “Kru” in the art of Muay Thai from Master Toddy, who has trained over 40 world Muay Thai Champions. Fans will also have a chance to receive a free autographed photo that he will be handing out.
Admission to the Arnold Martial Arts Festival is included in a $10 daily ticket to the Arnold Fitness EXPO. Tickets are available at the door or from Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000, or www.ticketmaster.com/arnold. For more information visit: www.arnoldsportsfestival.com.
Post by: TLemun