JP Wood's Samurang Games and Festival in Palatine a Huge Success

Posted April 15, 2015 11:00 pm

VP Public Relations

Excitement was in the air on Saturday, April 11 at Falcon Park Recreation Center at the 16th Annual Samurang Games hosted by JP Wood Martial Arts America in Palatine.

The presenting sponsor of the event was Pan American Bank in Palatine. Ring Sponsors included Epic Urgent and Family Care of Palatine, Allied Air Conditioning and Heating Corp, State Farm Agent Dominic Spadavecchio and Foundation Sport & Spine.

Events throughout the day included traditional form competition, sword and open weapons, self-defense (entertainment and tactical), new light sabre self-defense, sword sparring, sword quick draw and Taekwondo sparring.

"Very few things are more rewarding for me than watching those I teach taekwondo to, go out and perform amazingly. I am so proud of how they did this past weekend, including everyone who participated and competed at the Samurang Games!" said Chris Goeller, an instructor at JP Wood.

Festival contests totaled a considerable 525 performances in a total at eight events. New this year was warrior obstacle course, which had nearly 100 competitors.

Three new festival event records were set at this year's event: Casey Wood of Palatine, Illinois in the spin hook competition, Evan Levin, also of Palatine in the under 10 board-breaking division (12 boards broken) and in the under 14 division (16 boards broken), and Dan Chalkwater of Lakewood, Ohio in the teen/adult division with 20 boards broken.

Martial Arts experts travelled to Palatine from seven different states, including Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, Kansas, Texas and Oklahoma.

"This event has grown tremendously over the years; we are proud to have created this day where Martial Arts students can showcase the skills they have developed, and family members can come out and enjoy a day of excitement and healthy competition," said GrandMaster John Wood at JP Wood Martial Arts America.

View this board breaking video from the competition: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8l2bffBXv9cNXMzY21ZTTZLd00/view

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