2012 NASKA World Tour Calendar

2011 LAVAL OPEN hosted by JONATHAN MILOT

 

For full flyer, go to http://karatesunfuki.com/assets/Sunfuki-LavalOpen2011.pdf

2011 TORONTO TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS

 

2011 ONTARIO OPEN (hosted by EAST WEST MARTIAL ARTS)

 

CHELSEY NASH MAKES IT A DIAMOND FOURPEAT!!!

Hamilton's Chelsey Nash makes her mark globally once again as she captured her FOURTH Diamond Nationals Diamond Ring this past weekend in Bloomington, Minnesota.  Representing the prestigious Team Paul Mitchell, Nash not only leads the pack of Canadian Diamond Ring winners with FOUR Diamond Rings but she also raised the bar for Women's Fighting much higher as she ties the record with FOUR CONSECUTIVE Diamond Ring wins - tying the legendary NICKI CARLSON (LEE) (had four consecutive wins from 1994 - 1997). 

Canada Sport Karate is proud to have Chelsey Nash as one of Sport Karate's Top Female Fighters!  Chelsey will be representing Team Canada at the WKC World Championships in Cadiz, Spain from October 31 to November 5, 2011.

CANADIAN COMPETITOR SPOTLIGHT – ELYSE GORRELL

CANADIAN COMPETITOR SPOTLIGHT – ELYSE GORRELL

Article by Andrew Cabilan (Canada Sport Karate Media Services)

Canada has long been a haven for fierce Female point fighters.  The homeland of many top fighters, both past and present, another name you can add to Canada’s talent-laden roster is Ottawa native Elyse Gorrell.

Unlike most young ladies who desire to be a ballet dancer, gymnast or figure skater, Elyse always liked doing what her older brother did.  During the popularity of the Ninja Turtles, Elyse’s brother was interested in taking Karate lessons so she tagged along with her brother and signed up at Douvris Martial Arts in Kemptville.  The rest, as they say, is history.

It was during this time that Gorrell dedicated her studies under the direction of Sensei Earl Horvath.  Enamoured with the competitive aspect of Karate, especially point fighting, Gorrell also sought instruction from Master John Douvris – the producer of such World Champions such as Robbie Lavoie and the Aversa brothers (people that Gorrell has the highest regard for) and other upcoming talents such as Kelsey Friedlander and Chenoa Cassidy-Matthews.  With many talented fighters surrounding Gorrell, it comes to no surprise that her most admired people are those that she trains with, especially Master John Douvris and Sensei Earl Horvath.  The tight-knit family-like bond that Gorrell has with her Douvris camp keeps her motivated - pushing her to work harder when they feel she is slacking.  But most of all, she enjoys the comraderie and fun that comes with training with good friends and family, which includes sister, Danielle.  Gorrell is definitely in good company since she observes the keen work ethic of her peers and mentors and always pushes to the limit to establish the same work ethic for herself.

Elyse made her big mark this year at the U.S .Open by claiming the Women’s Super Lightweight title – her first major NASKA win as an Adult.  However, her Sport Karate highlights date back to her Junior years when she captured a Gold medal at the WKA Worlds in 2008 and various National and Provincial titles.  At the 2010 WKC Worlds, she entered her first major competition as an Adult and claimed a respectable Silver medal finish.  Elyse notes that even though she loves any of her individual wins, her most memorable moments occur when she is part of a Team Fight – especially when she fought for Team Canada at the 2010 WKC Worlds.  To her, the support and motivation experienced during a Team fight is much more exciting and rewarding and keeps her constantly inspired.

When asked which direction she wants to take her competitive career she simply answered that she wants to compete in “different circuits so I can become a well-known and respected woman point fighter.”  Listing Chelsey Nash as one of her toughest fighting opponents, she recognizes that people like Nash set the Women’s Fighting bar high.  Because of this, Gorrell is always seeking ways to improve her skills to reach that bar and make a name for her on the global stage.  She believes that even though it’s easy to get discouraged and frustrated, every competition one enters is a learning experience.  Whether one wins or loses, something new is learned each time and that will promote self-improvement. 

Elyse admits that Karate is a dominant part of her life and has no regrets leaving extra-curricular sports such as track and field to pursue this path.  Elyse is currently pursuing post-secondary studies at Carleton University in Ottawa but still manages to put in an ample amount of time of training to meet her personal goals.  Still at a young age, the future is definitely bright for this Ottawa native.  With one NASKA major under her belt, expect more to come in the near future.  Although major teams have not discovered her (yet), she proudly dons the black and silver apparel of Team Douvris.  As she says, “Once a Douvris girl, always a Douvris girl.”

CANADIAN SPOTLIGHT COMPETITOR - JEFF LIOTTA

CANADIAN COMPETITOR SPOTLIGHT – JEFF LIOTTA

Article written by Andrew Cabilan (Canadian Sport Karate Media Services)

Canada’s “brain drain” phenomena has resulted in a depletion of many of Canada’s entertainment stars and professionals – most them never ever returning to Canadian soil.  Despite all of the favourable conditions which may exist in the United States, one individual always seems to come back to where it all started and paying homage to his roots which paved the way for his success.

38 year old Florida native Jeff Liotta may reside in the basking heat and sun of Florida but deep in his heart lies the pride of a true Canadian.  Raised in Oshawa, Ontario, Jeff’s martial arts training began in Taekwondo 27 years ago under the guidance of Master Leo Wong (those who competed back in the early 90s may remember Wong as the Promoter of the Karate Kicks Diabetes tournament in Pickering).  After his parents learned that Jeff was being bullied in elementary school, they decided to enrol him in Master Wong’s dojang to learn the Korean art of self-defence.  Jeff earned his Black Belt in his mid-teen years under Wong and NASKA World Champion Charlie Lee – an accomplishment which Liotta has the highest regard.  This was a special moment in Liotta’s martial arts journey since Charlie Lee is Liotta’s favourite Forms competitor of all time.

Liotta’s competitive career began to flourish in the early 90s as a mere 17 year old.  In the old Can-Am circuit, Liotta competed with the “big boys” and won numerous tournaments in the Adult Korean divisions.  During this time, names like John Marshall and Brent Beatty provided his main competition in the Greater Southern Ontario area.  It was during this time he established a close relationship with the Palitti Family (John, Mike and Patti) and together they began competing on the NASKA World Tour.  Jeff made a name for himself on the NASKA stage by placing Top 3 in Korean Forms competing against past greats such as David Macomber, Michael Dietrich and Eric San Jose.

Prior to pursuing a post-secondary education at the University of Western Ontario in 1992, Liotta began training in Shotokan Karate under the direction of Hanshi Cesar Borkowski – a person who he credits for his quality in Forms.  Jeff’s post-secondary pursuits put Jeff in a short hiatus from competition as his personal focus had a different direction.

Fast forwarding to 2003, Liotta and his family migrated to Florida to manage various businesses they owned in the area.  It was during this time that Liotta’s fire for competition started to burn again.  Liotta made his return to the competition arena at the 2003 U.S. Open and in his first year back from competition, he managed to claim the 30 – 39 Creative Forms title but lost the Traditional title by a small margin to another Canadian – Chris Sheridan.  Liotta continued his dominance in NASKA’s 30 – 39 age bracket by claiming titles in Weapons, Traditional and Creative Forms in 2004 and 2005.

In 2007, Liotta was strongly convinced by the Palitti’s to try out for the WKA Canadian National team. It was at this time that Liotta took his Canadian pride to the global stage and show the World his competitive spirit.  In fact, Liotta’s Gold Medal finish at the WKA Worlds in Germany in the 18+ Creative Weapons is listed as Liotta’s most memorable win.  As he puts it, it’s “nice to bang with the young competitors!”  Liotta also represented Canada at the 2008 WKA Worlds in Orlando where he walked away with another two Gold Medals.  In 2011, Liotta competed at the WKC Nationals in Ottawa and handily captured a Gold Medal in 35+ Weapons and placed in the Top 3 in every 18+ division he entered.  It was also in 2011 that Liotta expanded his repertoire of divisions by adding Continuous Fighting – a division which he won a Gold Medal in at the 2011 WKC Nationals.

Liotta’s list of toughest Forms and Weapons competitors is like a list of the “who’s who” of past legends and current veteran superstars.  Names like Gabe Reynaga and Kevin Thompson make the list and current veteran mainstays such as Armando Anselmo, current 30+ Champion Eric Tremblay and fellow Western alumni, Andrew Cabilan also make the list as his primary competition whenever he competes.

After three solid years of intense competition on the NASKA World Tour, Liotta’s martial arts career steered in another direction and his focus was re-directed again.  After meeting his wife, Bianca Ayala, they decided to open up the World Championship Martial Arts Centre situated in Coral Springs, Florida.  As Liotta taught students how to twist their hips, Bianca, a World renowned Zumba Jammer, was teaching legions of fitness fanatics how to shake their hips.  Their school and fitness centre launched and soared with many of their clientele being families of athletes and other affluent individuals in the Coral Springs area.  Besides the business aspect of his martial arts career, Liotta was also inducted into the World Head of Family Sokeship Council Hall of Fame in 2005 and also belongs to the Hall of Fame for Action Martial Arts Magazine and the New England Open Hall of Fame.  Liotta currently holds the rank of 5th Dan in Shotokan Karate – an honour that was bestowed upon him by another one of his favourite competitors and Martial Artists – Mike Bernardo. 

Although Liotta may not compete on the NASKA World Tour full time, he still manages to squeeze in at least three NASKA events per year.  His finesse and natural prowess in Weapons still makes him a consistent winner every time he competes. In fact, in 2011, Liotta won two 1st Places in Weapons at the Gator Nationals and also had a 1st Place finish in Creative Weapons at the U.S. Open.  Liotta currently represents the Amerikick World Team – an invitation which he happily accepted in 2009.

The happily married Florida native has been blessed with two beautiful children – Angelica and Alexander.  Along with wife, Bianca, both of his children frequent the tournaments Liotta attends and are often seen cheering from the sidelines.  Even though there has been no mention of moving back up to the Great White North anytime soon, his loyalty to this great country is uncontested. Despite having the choice to represent Canada or the U.S., he remains loyal to his Canadian upbringing and chooses to represent Canada in global competition.  It is this type of dedication to his roots and his arduous effort to maintain an active competitive spirit that makes Jeff Liotta our selected Spotlight competitor.