USA National Open Martial Arts Tournament
and Masters Show

Saturday, June 25, 2005  at Benjamin Stoddert Middle School in Temple Hills. Sponsored by Grandmaster Lee Edmunds and Black Belt University.

Our students performed very well in the tournament. Representing Jing Ying Institute in the Masters Show, Clayton Barrow performed Lian Huan Tui to an appreciative crowd.

After the opening ceremonies, Jing Ying students got down to business. Billy was up first for forms. He performed Shaolin Fist and earned a gold medal. When he finished, he learned that he had been called for the Tai Chi competition, but they had changed the order of competitors since he was in another event when they called him. He had just a few minutes to catch his breath and to try to transition from the very active Shaolin Fist form to being relaxed and centered for Tai Chi. He performed the Chen style 18 step Essence form and earned another gold medal.

Next, Lane Greer was up for the women's Tai Chi competition. At 13, she was by far the youngest competitor, but her 18 step Essence form earned a gold medal. She next competed in Tai Chi weapons and won another gold for her Tai Chi Straight Sword.

Then it was on to weapons competition. Tony Vega was up first with his short staff form. In his first tournament competition, he earned a bronze medal! Next up was Christina Vega. Staying focused and serious, she performed her best fan form which earned her a silver medal in her first tournament competition! There was one Vega left, and Jose did not disappoint. His backspins were a whirring blur as his long staff form earned him a silver in first tournament competition. Next, Miguel Mattia-Uribe competed in the boys advanced weapons division and won a gold medal for his broadsword form. This was despite competing with a heavy combat-steel sword (his spring-steel competition sword was locked up at the school and couldn't be retrieved before the tournament).

Billy Greer and Lane Greer next performed Tu Ji (Sudden Attack) in the two-man fighting set competition. They tried to keep it fast and furious and as realistic as possible. It was so realistic that at one point, Billy's knuckle ever so slightly touched the skin on the side of Lane's nose! They had the highest team score, but through an unusual scoring system, they were awarded individual scores and medals with Lane getting gold and Billy assigned bronze.

The only event left was sparring. We had three competitors and all three (Lane, Miguel and Billy) won gold in their divisions! It had been a long, hot day so we left after our events were completed and didn't wait for the Grand Champion awards. We didn't learn until we got a phone call later that Billy Greer won the Under Belt (non-black belt) Grand Champion trophy!

Great job everyone! While our students did great in competition, I have to say I am especially proud of their performance outside of the competition ring. I don't think there were any students who showed better sportsmanship or were more gracious about congratulating fellow competitors. Conditions in the gym were hot and humid because the air conditioning went out and then the back up fans failed. Despite that, our students kept up a great attitude. Miguel Mattia-Uribe showed the true spirit of friendship and cooperation by stepping in to help a student from another school perform in the breaking competition. Clayton Barrow stepped in to help with judging several events, and Antonia Mattia helped with officiating by keeping scores and making ring announcements. Many thanks also to the parents, friends and other students who did not compete but came out to support our students!

~ Billy

Jing Ying Institute students with Master Chao Chi Liu before the competition began.
From left to right: Glen Greer, Arlene Barrow, Tony Vega, Christina Vega, Jose Vega, Master Chao Chi Liu, Billy Greer, Lane Greer, Clayton Barrow, Miguel Mattia-Uribe.

Master CC Liu performing TaiJi (Tai Chi) Straight Sword in the Masters Demo.

Billy Greer performing Shaolin Fist in forms competition.

Lane Greer performing TaiJi (Tai Chi) Straight Sword in Tai Chi weapons competition.

Lane and Billy Greer performing Tu Ji in the Two-man set competition.

Glen with Vega family showing off some of the medals earned.

Billy receiving his Grand Champion trophy from Grandmaster Lee Edmunds as Shifu observes.