Story by Mike Spizzuco
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SUPER GRANDS WORLD GAMES 20
Buffalo, New York, USA
photos by Boice Lydell & Jessica Robeson
SUPER GRANDS SUPER SHOW
(Overall World Grandchampionships)
JUNIOR & ADULT FORMS & WEAPONS
Karina Hipolito vs Jasmine Magallanes vs Jordan Simon
(Junior Contemporary)
The first competition of the evening was the Junior Contemporary Forms. The competition was dominated by western competitors, as Jordan Simon and Jasmine Magallanes of Team International in California and Karina Hipolito of Team Pinnacle in Utah, squared off to determine who would become the coveted 2009 overall champion. Magallanes came on strong, but Simon’s “Welcome to the Jungle” was too much to overcome, giving him the victory and winning his third World Grand Championship title belt in as many years.


Ashley Artese vs Jeff Doss vs Austin Jorgensen vs Casey Nash
(Adult Contemporary)
The last forms division to compete was the Adult Contemporary Forms Overall Grandchampionship. Austin Jorgensen performed his drunken sword form, Ashley Artese performed her musical form, Casey Nash performed her weapons form and Jeff Doss performed his crazy musical form. Jorgensen would not only walk away with the World Grand, but also with a near perfect score of 49.99 to close out the evening.

Trevor Kim vs Diego Marroquin vs Tan Nguyen vs Colbey Northcutt
(Junior Traditional)
Colbey Northcutt (Korean) bowed out of the competition leaving two Canadians and a Guatemalan to vie for the Junior Traditional overall title. Tan Nguyen (Japanese), Trevor Kim (Weapons), and Diego Marroquin (Kenpo) all attempted to outdo one another with their performances. Nguyen was the victor, with a rendition of Annan that reminded us of the precision of his teacher, Kenny Lim.

Austin Jorgensen vs Ashley Artese vs Brandon Bertsch vs Casey Nash
(Adult Traditional)
Austin Jorgensen, Casey Nash, Brandon Bertsch, and Ashley Artese all demonstrated traditional forms that made for a very close competition. Jorgenson performed his soft form, Nash represented the Japanese division, Bertsch with traditional weapons and Artese represented Korean. Bertsch's performance was incredibly intense, but Nash pulled through for the title after a long absence from the NBL stage.

MEN'S SPARRING SEMI-FINALS & FINALS
Enrique Rodrigo vs Kyle Richards
(quarter-final)
The Men’s Sparring was to start out, with Enrique Rodrigo scheduled to face off against Kyle Richards. Unfortunately both had ticketing to fly home early. So, good news for the winner of light vs light middle as he would receive a bye in the semi-final round.

Willie Hicks vs Jason Holmes
(quarter-final)
Light vs light heavy was Willie Hicks taking on longtime friend Jason Holmes. Despite a fantastic Holmes cartwheel kick that squarely scored, Hicks took a 5 to 4 victory to advance.

Chris Gallio vs Dan Marshall
(quarter-final)
Chris Gallio had to face a big-time height disadvantage with his bout against Dan Marshall. The long legs of Marshall were too much for Gallio to overcome as Marshall advanced with an 8 to 4 score.

Rene Perreault vs Trevor Nash
(quarter-final)
Ending out the first round were the heavy weights, Trevor Nash facing Rene Perrault. Nash pounded fellow Canadian Perrault 11 to 4 and advanced to the semi-finals.

Dan Marshall vs Trevor Nash
(semi-final)
It was student versus instructor, as Marshall had to fight Nash. Regardless that Marshall was a worthy opponent, either intimidation or perhaps respect prevented Marshall from overcoming Nash’s experience, and Nash moved on to face Hicks in the finals after a 6 to 1 victory.

Willie Hicks vs Trevor Nash
(final)
It was a close bout, but Nash injured his ribs close to the end of the round (they turned out to be broken). It was reminiscent of two years ago when Hicks suffered a rib injury that impeded his fighting and Nash won the overall that year. Hicks would capitalize on Nash's pain, tying the score at six points apiece and forcing sudden death. Hicks would score in overtime, becoming the World Point Sparring Grand Champion.

WOMEN'S SPARRING SEMI-FINALS & FINALS
Lauren Ferguson vs Casey Nash
(semi-final)
The audience was treated to some first rate women’s sparring competition. Casey Nash and Lauren Ferguson squared off in the first round for the women. Nash defeated Ferguson 7 to 2 to advance in the overall bout.

Tracey Martinez vs Regena Thompson
(semi-final)
GOP teammates Tracy Martinez and Regena Thompson put on a clinic of picture perfect sparring. Thompson’s experience however was easily able to overcome Martinez advancing herself to the final match by a 6 to 2 score.

Casey Nash vs Regena Thompson
(final)
Despite Nash’s capabilities Thompson shut her out from winning the world grand championship with a 12 to 2 score.

With that, the 2009 NBL Super Grands came to an almost close – there would be the big New Year’s Eve celebration immediately following and one more day of grappling and stick fighting on January 1, however, the NBL and SKIL divisions were all complete. Congratulations to all the competitors who made the week exciting for the sport!