We had 32 competitors. (34 registered but 2 could not compete)
We took 44 medals total ! (not including participation medals)
14 Gold    15 Silver    15 Bronze   

Some highlights:

1. Aeddan Winter and Josiah Barnett were bumped up from the 5-year-old division to the 6 and 7-year-old division where they joined Max Connor (all three are Montessori Kids or former Montessori kids). The three of them dominated this group taking 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in both Kata and kumite. We had great performances from other Montessori kids ( Saya, 1st Kumite and 2nd Kata; Jude Camp 3rd kata; Sam Bernard 3rd kata and kumite; Jack, Adam, and James, all 1st time competitors, did not place, but had really good performances during the tournament.)

2. Andy Nou had a superb performance taking his long time rival out by a wide margin in the elimination matches and subsequently beating in the final a Junior Black belt who trained at our dojo for 4 years before moving to a different dojo 4 years ago.

3. Kristin Zimmerman taught everybody a great lesson about what it means to have "budo spirit." Neither her toe injury, nor her missing car key constituted enough obstacle for her. She rode a cab to come to the tournament and took 1st place in kumite and and in Kata. Loren Connor, who is another examplar of budo spirit, took 1st kata and 2nd kumite.

4. The revelations at this tournament were Aristide (one of our African refugee kids who took 1st place kumite in a very difficult group) and John Curl. John conquered his fear and brilliantly fought his way to the 3rd place match where he lost after ties during both the regular and the overtime bouts. He even tied a 3rd time in the referee panel's decision (2 to 2). The head referee of his match had to render a final decision through what we call in our jargon a "casting vote."

   I have not mentioned many people here who did equally well. I was very proud of all the competitors who excitingly decided to enter the competition and tried their best. They all did very well. As I have always said, karate competition is more about personal improvement than medals/trophies. Although medals are nice accessories to get, everyone of our competitors were winners at this tournament. Thanks for your effort toward improvement. Thank you to all the parents and particularly to our former and new sponsors.

   Keep up with the good work.

Results from IMA Utah Family Tournament

1. Andy Nou 2nd kata, 1st kumite
2. Alassane Niang 2nd kumite
3. Soumine Mahamat 3rd kata
4. Ali Mahamat 1st kata 1st kumite
5. Aristide 1st kumite
6. Saya Zelenik 2nd kata 1st kumite
7. Josiah Barnett 2nd kata 2nd kumite
8. Harvey Nexhip 2nd kata 1st kumite
9. Matilda Nexhip 3rd kata 2nd kumite
10. Aeddan Winter 1st kata 3rd kumite
11. Brandon Lee 1st kata 2nd kumite
12. Angel Moreno 2nd kata 3rd kumite
13. Andrew Lopez 3rd kata 1st kumite
14. Leila Mujic 3rd kata 3rd kumite
15. Kristin Zimmerman 3rd kata 1st kumite
16. Loren Connor 1st kata 2nd kumite
17. Max Connor 3rd kata 1st kumite
18. Irma Garcia 1st kumite
19. Sam Bernard 3rd kata 3rd kumite
20. Leon Chodos 3rd kata
21. Abraham Wali 2nd kata 2nd kumite
22. Arnold Nidijigoto 3rd kata 1st kumite
23. Nairobi Nidijigoto 2nd kata 2nd kumite
24. Jude Camp 3rd kata
25. Vanessa Escobar 2nd kata 3rd kumite