THE 27th ANNUAL BATTLE OF MAINE
Competing To Help Save Children's Lives
By Pamela Bowman Miranda

This 27th Annual Battle Of Maine was held Saturday, March 24th on The State Of Maine Martial Arts Day. Again this year, this event was the highlight of all community events held over the weekend in Winslow, Maine, with approximately 475 competitors and over 1,200 spectators. This years’ tournament was dedicated to the memory of Ms. Brandy Coleman who passed away at the age of 17 due to injuries suffered in a car accident last Sunday night. Brandy, along with her sister Dezie and brother Charlie are students of Fournier’s Karate. Condolences and a moment of silence, were shared by all in attendance. The Huard Karate Family would like to extend their thoughts and prayers to Brandy’s family and the students and members of Fournier’s Karate, for their recent loss.

John James of 92 Moose broadcasted the event again this year. John has become a regular supporter of the Battle Of Maine and shares Sensei Mark Huard’s passion for the Children’s Miracle Network fundraising mission. Sensei Andy Campbell spun the music and got the crowd going with tunes from AC/DC and pumped everyone up with his enthusiasm, clapping and dancing. Caps, balls, bracelets, t-shirts and various other prizes provided by Huard’s Dojo and Mohegan Sun, were thrown into the crowd during breaks in the demo performances, for all of the children to enjoy.

The tournament started with an exciting demo performance by Huard’s Sport Karate Demo Team Members Matthew Clark, Eric Pratt, Keith Crogan and Logan Miranda. These young men worked extremely hard to prepare for this demo and the crowd loved it. Matt Clark, 15 is a first-degree brown belt, who has won several State of Maine Karate Championship titles. He travels to competitions throughout New England. He was also involved in some of the fight scenes with the recent independent film production with Dungan Productions, “Bullet 17”, which was filmed here in Maine. Matt assists with teaching our future competitors of the martial arts and is very much looked up to by our younger martial arts generation.

Eric Pratt, 16 (“P-Rat” as he is affectionately called by his team mates) is a first-degree brown belt, who also has captured several State of Maine Karate Champion titles. He travels to many events in Maine and is a well-known competitor. Eric is one of the most dedicated students at Huard’s dojo. Eric is also very involved with other sports including basketball and soccer.

Keith Crogan, 14 is a second degree brown belt, who is also very active in soccer. He shows great potential when working with younger children teaching on Saturdays at the Dojo. Keith competes in many Maine tournaments during the year.

Logan Miranda, 10 is a third degree brown belt who has won several State of Maine Karate Championship titles. He competes throughout New England in SMART, IPPONE, KRANE and NASKA rated tournaments. Logan is known as one of the top under black belt competitors in New England. He is also involved with independent filming here in Maine and was featured in “Bullet 17” and “The Russian Experiment” movies with Dungan Productions.

Also featured were numerous demonstrations by various World Class Champions including Hans Wikkeling from San Jose, CA, a third degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do representing Team Pro Rank, he was featured on MTV2’s Final FU 2006, he was the recipient of the 2005 and the 2006 France National All Stars Cups; Nick Schilling from Ft. Lauderdale, FL representing Team AKA is an eight time World Champion, the 2005 Kids Hall Of Fame Competitor Of The Year and the 2005 Diamond Nationals Overall Weapons Grand Champion; Cory Lutkus from Oakville, CT representing Team Straight Up Professional Karate Team is a four time World Champion in Weapons and Sparring in NASKA; Jay Carpenter from Kirkville, NY made his second appearance at The Battle Of Maine, he has spent the past year traveling and competing all over the country representing PhotoSportz.com; Ryan Rempfer from West Suffield, CT will spend this year traveling and competing throughout the U.S. representing PhotoSportz.Com; Trevor Logan from Eagle, ID representing Team ACURA is the 2006 U.S. Open Winner in Extreme Forms; Sean Goldberg from Wolcott, CT representing Team GKS is the 2006 NASKA Triple Crown Holder in fighting, weapons and forms.; Alexandra Pyles from Galax, VA is a twelve time NBL/SKIL World Champion and two time World Record Holder. She is the Tiny Tilton on Martial Arts TV. Her dad, Dean Pyles also from Galax, VA is the NBL World Champion and Mixed Martial Arts World Champion; Coelynn McIninch from Fitchburg, MA is a member of The Mohegan Sun National Team; Gary Card from Lowell MA is also a member of the Mohegan Sun National Team. Chris Dammann from Sound Beach, NY representing Mohegan Sun National Team, is a six time NY State Karate Champion and the 2007 WAKO USA National Team; Farruh Nunuzov, a local independent filmmaker and owner of Dungan Productions from Augusta, ME, performed a scene from his upcoming feature film, “Bullet 17”. Dungan Productions released their first feature film, “Everything For Nothing” last year and has had great success in Maine. For more information and trailers, please visit their location: www.dunganproductions.com

It was, again this year, an amazing event to start the Maine Tournament Circuit, not just as a competition but also as a celebration of Martial Arts Day and friendships with other youngsters. All of the children reconnected with friends they have made at the various tournaments held within the State Of Maine as well as throughout New England.

The comradery between the Sensei’s and Dojo’s is the backbone and foundation of these valuable relationships that will strengthen the self confidence of each child as they grow, not only in Martial Arts, but also in their daily lives.

Trophies were awarded to the top four finishers in each ring as well as medals to all the younger competitors in their respective divisions for sportsmanship.

This tournament was not only about martial arts. Tournament Promoter, Sensei Mark Huard, again this year as in years past, incorporated a fundraiser, for the Children’s Miracle Network. Sensei Mark’s passion for the children in our community, at the Dojo as well as children in need, is apparent during day-to-day activities but is also very obvious at the tournament. He smiles ear to ear, all day long and can’t get enough of each child’s accomplishments no matter how small and congratulates each one. Children from the Huard’s Dojo as well as from all visiting Dojo’s run up to “Sensei Mark” and share their story of how well they did during their kata or sparring event.

Stephanie Lamanteer, again this year was the top fund raiser with over $2,500 in monies collected for this charity. Many other children also collectively raised many thousands of dollars. The children, raising the most, were awarded prizes donated by local merchants.

Competitions began with the under belt divisions and some fierce and close matches. The focus and determination of the younger competitors, some as young as four years old, was a pleasure to watch. As the age groups moved up, so did the intensity. Some of the most incredible battles took place within the intermediate and advanced divisions and closing with a plethora of talented black belts.

The Battle of Maine also touted a Chanbara Division, and saw a wide range of ages from five years old and up. Renshi Mike Huard ran the ring and kept the fast and furious action moving along quickly and safely. The Grand Championship Match was an exciting one featuring first place winners, Sensei Steve Krause and Gelson Miranda, both from Huard’s Dojo, with Sensei Steve winning the Grand Champion Title.

The parents would like to thank Grand Master Randy Huard and Sensei Joe Pirrotta who kept the event running smoothly from managing the security team to announcing the rings and verify the awards and points table. Also a “thank you” members of the community for their contributions to this event, all of the black belts from all the Dojo’s that participated for not only assisting in the judging but also for supporting this event. Again this year, we would like to thank Attorney Pamela Ames for her sponsorship and continual support and enthusiasm, and for supporting each competitor as they enter their ring, while running one of the score tables. Also appreciation to Michele Cairnie, Gelson Miranda and Steve Collella who gave of their time and assisted with the set-up of this years event. Also, the many parents that assisted with this event, which brings our community together and strengthens the bonds of family and children, year after year. And a huge kudos to the spectators who supported the local youth by attending this years kick off tournament.

The Huard Karate Family would also like to extend a huge “thank you” to all of the participating Dojo’s who, year after year, support this tournament by traveling and sending competitors to be a part of this kick off tournament. Without the support of these other Dojo’s and Sensei’s, our community would not have the benefit of this exciting representation of what The Martial Arts, brings to each of our families and our community.

Last, but certainly not least, our heart-felt appreciation, again this year, to the Huard Family, Grand Master Huard, Mrs. Huard, Renshi Mike Huard and Sensei Mark Huard for their heart felt support for not only the youth of our community but also all the youth in The State Of Maine by their tireless endeavors and efforts to promote the Karate values and continually organizing the yearly Battle Of Maine Tournament, which embraces the highest of respect, family and children. I am sure I speak for all of the parents of the students at The Huard Dojo, when I say, “thank you, is not enough, for all that the Huard Family does for our children and the community.”