9th Annual Thomas La Puppet Memorial Classic
Directed by Shihan Cedric Barksdale
Corona, New York • June 2008
The 9th Annual Thomas La Puppet Memorial Classic was held at the Louis Armstrong Activity Center in Corona Queens, New York.
The tournament was a NYTKL sanction event.
Shihan Cedric Barksdale introducing the officials for the event
The event was directed by Shihan Cedric Barksdale a senior student of Master Thomas La Puppet. Shihan Cleveland Baxter was the Chief Referee. The event was held on one of the hottest days of the year. With the help of Shihan Baxter and all the officials, the tournaments finish on time. This year, the Thomas La Puppet Memorial Classic award went to Shihan Errol Bennett of Bronx, NY.
Destiny Vergara (R) punching her way to a medal
Destiny Vergara won a gold medal in Kumite
Shihan Kai Leung with Destiny Vergara
Matthew Soto with
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Gabriel Marin
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Jackie Soto place in both Kata and Kumite
Sebastian Acosta (R) place in Japanese Kata
Joey Castro (3rd L) Won the 2008 Kata Grand Championships
We congratulate Shihan Cedric Barksdale for a successful event and looking forward to next year's event!
8th Annual Thomas La Puppet Memorial Classic
Directed by Shihan Cedric Barksdale
Corona, New York • June 2007
We had a great time at the 8th Annual Thomas La Puppet Memorial Classic. Many of the tri-State area's top dojos attended this memorial event in honor of the late Master Thomas La Puppet.
Master Thomas La Puppet
Shihan Leung with the late Master Thomas LaPuppet and dancer/actor Gregory Hines
The event was directed by Shihan Cedric Barksdale and Shihan Cleve Baxter was the Chief Referee.
This year, the Thomas La Puppet Memorial Classic awards went to Shihan John McClary of Philadelphia, PA, and Sensei Dee Villanova of Brooklyn, NY.
Nine Shotojuku members competed and took home 12 medals plus the Kata Grand Championship Trophy, won by Sebastian Acosta. Our members included Sebastian Acosta, Tony Skuflic, Elvis Mujakic, Jacqueline Soto, Eric Soto, Raif Ekici, Yusuf Tuncer, Alfredo Villagran and Alan Levi.
Shihan Leung and Mr. Michael Soto helped out in the judging.
Shihan Leung (r) and Shihan Barksdale(L)
with Kata Grand Champion Sebastian Acosta
Shihan Leung, Sebastian Acosta, Alfredo Villagran, Jacqueline Soto, Michael Soto and (C) Eric Soto
Tony Skufic winning medals in both Kata and Kumite
Shihan Leung with Jacqueline Soto winning a medal in Kumite
Shihan Leung with Raif Ekici winning medals in both Kata and Kumite
Shihan Leung and four senior instructors from the New York area got together earlier this year and founded the New York Traditional Karate League. We are going to start organizing and awarding points to athletes that compete in our traditional events in 2008.
