MEDIA CONTACT:
S. Scott Powers
Columbia Regional Sports Council
803.545.0009
spowers@columbiasportscouncil.com
Columbia S.C. - (May 3, 2011) - From the 4-year-old beginner to the Master Blackbelt, competitors will enter the martial arts ring this weekend, May 6-7, 2011, during the 8th annual Carolina Martial Arts Open held at the Cantey Building at the South Carolina State Fairgrounds in Columbia, S.C. This year's theme is "Back to Basics," building on the reputation it established in 2004.
This eighth annual event, hosted by Sensei Brian Pena and the Karate Dojo, will give sport martial arts and grappling competitors from all around the southeast the opportunity to earn trophies, plaques and points toward the National Blackbelt League (NBL) and SKI Super Grands World Games. All participants 12 years old and younger will receive awards for competitive spirit regardless of placement, and Blackbelt and Underbelt Grand Champions will receive cash awards.
Friday, May 6
3:00 p.m. - Registration Opens
NBL/SKI Blackbelt Rules Clinic hosted by Brian Pena
5:00 p.m. - Blackbelt Organizational & Rules Meeting
6:00 p.m. - Tournament Eliminations Begin
Little Ninjas, Little Dragons, Little Angels Fun Division
9:00 p.m. - "5" person State vs. State Team Sparring Challenge
Saturday, May 7
7:00 a.m. - Registration and Weigh-in Opens
8:30 a.m. - Blackbelt Organizational & Rules Meeting
9:15 a.m. - Opening demonstration, Hall of Fame Presentations
Sport Martial Arts Tournament Eliminations
10:00 a.m. - Sport Grappling Rules Meeting
10:30 a.m. - Sport Grappling "No Gi" and "Gi" Tournament Eliminations
For more information about the eighth annual Carolina Marital Arts Open, visit carolinamaopen.com or contact Brian Pena at CarolinaMAOpen@aol.com or 803.739.9494.
About Columbia Regional Sports Council
The mission of the Columbia Regional Sports Council is to strengthen the area's economy by marketing and selling the Columbia, SC region (City of Columbia, Lexington County, Richland County) as a premier destination for sporting events, partnering with local sports organizations to grow and develop existing events, and by recruiting new events which provide an economic benefit to the region by generating room nights, food and beverage sales, and associated tax revenues.
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