Triple Silver Success for Maizis

Soke Michelle Maizis and Alexandria Cumming of Maizis Martial Arts Academy in Stayner, Ontario travelled to Orlando, Florida from November 09-15 to compete in the WKA World Championships.

Both Team Canada athletes did our country proud as they represented Canada at the World Championships held in Disney’s Wide World of Sports. 

In the elimination round on Monday, Cumming did a fine form.  She had a slight stumble though and was narrowly edged out of the finals.  Cumming ended up fifth in the world.

Maizis after two more days of eliminations was in for two days of finals.  Only the top two make it for the final round.  In her first division, +35 kumite, with a one-point difference Maizis won the Silver medal.  She went on to her second final, +18 kumite and again won a Silver medal.  Maizis’ third event was the team-fighting event.  In the team fighting there are three fighters and they must win two out of three fights.  Maizis won her fight with a 16-2 lead, but her two teammates were down by a point.  The three woman team ended up with another Silver medal for Canada.

Maizis’ three Silver Medals helped Team Canada to win the overall World Championships.  Maizis would like to thank all of her sponsors for their support in her representation of our country.

Anyone who is interested in marital arts in the Georgian Triangle or Barrie areas should contact 705-428-KICK or visit www.maizismartialarts.com.

On the first anniversary of Soke Glenn E. Kwan's passing a memorial was held honouring the martial artist at the hombu dojo in Stayner, Maizis Martial Arts Academy.  Soke Maizis (Nidai), inheiritor of Genki-do Kempo, and now head of the system was deeply moved to see many students at the memorial.  The memorial consisted of two things Soke Kwan loved best, martial arts and food, with the people he loved most, family, friends and students.

Soke Maizis announced her intentions of taking the system that Soke Kwan spent his lifetime creating international.  Her plans include a teaching system for black belts to maintain the consistancy of the system so that it remains as Soke Kwan intended.  All ranks of Sandan and higher must be tested through the hombu to ensure the highest degree of quality and authenticy. 

Anyone who is interested in learning Genki-Do Kempo should contact Soke Maizis at 705-428-KICK.

Maizis Kicks Her Way to The Top 

Soke Michelle Maizis travelled to London, Ontario to compete in the Ontario Grand Nationals on Saturday, October 04, 2008.

Maizis, who will be representing Canada at the World Championships this November in Orlando, Florida, was in top form.  She won her black belt kumite division.

“I wanted to use this tournament as a prep for the Worlds.  This is the lasts tournament locally that has the calibre of athletes I need to compete with.”  Maizis said in regards to this excellent run event in London.

For more information on marital arts in the Georgian Triangle area call 705-428-KICK.

Grandmother Becomes Yellow Belt

In a late summer grading at Maizis Martial Arts Academy in Stayner, Ontario two students achieved their next rank.  Testing for belts at the dojo involves both a physical and written test. 

Georemy Johnston achieved the rank of orange belt, while Diane Babackos achieved the rank of yellow belt.  Diane began karate this year when her daughter, a green belt, bought her a gift certificate for her birthday.  Enjoying herself immensely, Diane enrolled her grandson in the martial arts as well.  This is truly a family that trains together!

For more information on martial arts in the Georgian Triangle area call 705-428-KICK.

Dynamic Duo Bring Home Medals

On Saturday, June 07, 2008 two athletes from Maizis Martial Arts Academy travelled to Hamilton, Ontario to compete in the YMCA Open Martial Arts Championships.

Alexandros Maizis won second in the 6 and under intermediate kata division, second in the 6 and under intermediate kumite division and fifth in the 12 and under weapons division.

Team mate David Reid won third in the over 35 men’s intermediate kata, fourth in the 35 and over men’s intermediate kumite and fifth in the adult weapons division.

Coach Soke Michelle Maizis was on hand to oversee the dynamic duo from Team Maizis.  “What an accomplishment for this dynamic duo.  Maizis and Reid both train hard, and that hard work is showing its results.”

For more information on martial arts in the Georgian Triangle area call 705-428-KICK.

New Belts Achieved

On Saturday, May 31, 2008 students from Maizis Martial Arts Academy in Stayner, Ontario tested for their next belts.  The students need to perform their many techniques as well as pass a written test in order to advance to the next belt.

Soke Maizis says, “The most important part of the grading is their self-defense, followed by their endurance.  Our school focuses on self-defense, you have to be able to protect yourself.  Endurance is also necessary because of fitness levels and in real-life situations you need that to survive.”  Maizis also attributes attitude to the success of the students.

Mathew Caughill and Graydon Quanbury achieved their yellow stripe belts.  Dean Caughill and Agustin Blazquez achieved their yellow belts.  Alex Wyant achieved his orange stripe belt.  Ashley Callfas-King achieved her orange belt.  Darren Gill and Sabrina Jackson-Terry achieved their red belts.  Desiree Connell, Kyle Lawton, Hunter Partridge and Nicholas Wyant achieved their first level green belts.  David Reid achieved his blue belt.

For more information on martial arts in the Georgian Triangle area call 705-428-KICK.

Maizis Wins Canadian Championships

Soke Michelle Maizis and student Alexandria Cumming travelled to Hull, Quebec to compete at the WKA Canadian Championships May 16-18, 2008.  In order to compete at this event the athletes from across the country qualified in their individual provinces, with the top eight moving on to the National Championships.  Both of these athletes are from Maizis Martial Arts Academy with locations in Stayner, Ontario and Barrie, Ontario (Barrie opens June 18, 2008).

At the National Championships there is two elimination rounds followed by a finals round on Sunday.  The top six from the combined elimination rounds go on to the finals, and the top three are the athletes who will be representing our country in Orlando, Florida at the WKA World Championships in November.

Cumming, who won Bronze for the country in 2006 at the World Championships in Benidorm, Spain, qualified at regionals for two events.  In the 12 and under girls weapons division she placed seventh.  Cumming won the Bronze medal in 12 and under girls soft style kata.

Maizis, long-time Team Canada member, won Gold in both over 35 women’s fighting and in women’s hard style kata.  She won Silver in 65kg women’s fighting and Women’s weapons.

Both athletes will be going to the World Championships this fall in Orlando, Florida.  If anyone would like to help support these top athletes in their quest for GOLD, please call 705-428-KICK.  All Team Canada members are responsible for their travel, accommodations, food and entry fees so any financial support would be much appreciated.

Local Athletes Move on up

On Saturday, April 19, 2008 students from Maizis Martial Arts Academy tested for their next belts.  Master instructor Soke Michelle Maizis, head of Genki-do Kempo, was on hand to test these students on their skills. 

During a four-hour grading the students must demonstrate their knowledge on their basic karate techniques, their self-defense skills, their knowledge of martial arts history as well as be able to pass the extremely physical endurance test.  The only activity that uses more muscles at such a demanding rate is professional dancing.

Maizis attributes the success of her students, many who are Canadian Champions, to hard work in the dojo (karate school), diligent practice and a strong sense of ethics both in and out of the dojo.  Students are also expected to do well academically.

Showing that they met all requirements today were the following students.  Justin and Yasmine Khalaj both achieved their yellow stripe belts.  Georemy Johnston achieved his yellow belt.  Jennifer Redman and Angel Vollick achieved their green belts, marking the halfway to black belt point. 

In a private grading on April 13, 2008 both Alexandros Maizis and Jason Redman achieved their green belts.

For more information on martial arts in the Georgian Triangle area call 705-428-KICK.

Cumming Makes a Come Back

Alexandria Cumming of Maizis Martial Arts Academy in Stayner, Ontario travelled to London, Ontario on Saturday, April 05, 2008 to compete in the WKA regional tryouts.  Cumming, Team Maizis member and former Canadian Champion had an amazing day. 

In order to qualify for the WKA Canadian National Championships each athlete must place in the top eight.  Cumming was second in both her soft-style forms and her fighting division.  She also placed in the top eight for her weapons.

Coach Soke Michelle Maizis also qualified in all of her divisions for the Nationals.  Fellow team-mate Sempai Greg Hickey will be travelling to the northern Ontario regional tryouts later this month to fight for his chance to compete at the Canadian Championships.  Last year, along with Soke Maizis, Hickey represented out community and country at the WKA World Championships in Germany.

For more information on martial arts in the Georgian Triangle area call 705-428-KICK.

Team Maizis at Ontario Provincials

Members of Team Maizis out of Maizis Martial Arts Academy in Stayner, Ontario travelled to Hamilton, Ontario to compete in the Ontario Provincial Open Martial Arts Championships on Saturday, February 23, 2008.

Alexandros Maizis, competing in the 6 and under division was fifth in weapons, fifth in kumite and a finalist in kata.  There were twenty-six athletes in his division.

Alexandria Cumming won third in the 9/10 advanced kumite and she was a finalist in both her weapons and kata divisions.

David Reid was fifth in the 40 and over advanced men’s kumite and he was a finalist in both his weapons and kata division.

Kyle Lawton had a strong showing with a fourth place win in 11/12 intermediate weapons and he was a finalist in both kata and kumite.

For more information on martial arts in the Georgian Triangle area call 705-428-KICK.

National Results Are In

Three local athletes from Maizis Martial Arts Academy have been rated nationally in the National Martial Arts Circuit.  This circuit is open to all martial artists of all ranks and styles.

David Reid was third nationally in Adult Kyu belt weapons, third nationally in both 35 and over kyu belt kata and 35 and over kyu belt kumite.

Alexandria Cumming was sixth nationally in 12 and under weapons, third nationally in both 9/10 kyu belt kata and 9/10 kyu belt kumite.

Alexandros Maizis was seventh nationally in 12 and under weapons, second nationally in both 6 and under kata and 6 and under kumite.

Coach Soke Maizis says that she is extremely proud of these outstanding athletes and their terrific accomplishments and is looking forward to a successful 2008 competition season.

Maizis Martial Arts Academy will be hosting their annual winter shi-ai on February 09, 2008 at their new location, 250 Main Street East in Stayner.  Spectators are free.

For more information on martial arts in the Georgian Triangle area call 705-428-KICK.

New Belts for Students

Students from Maizis Martial Arts Academy in Stayner, Ontario graded for their next belts on Saturday, January 19, 2008.  Achieving their next ranks after being tested on basic karate skills, self-defense, katas (pre-arranged movements), fighting techniques and history were the following students.  Alexandria Cumming achieved the rank of brown belt.  Christopher Millar achieved the rank of blue belt.  Achieving the rank of red belt was Amber Connell and Avery Tenke.  Darren Gill and Sabrina Jackson-Terry achieved their orange belts while Ashley Callfas-King and Alex Wyant achieved their yellow belts.

Congratulations to all of these students on their terrific accomplishments and wonderful success.

For more information on martial arts in the Georgian Triangle area call 705-428-KICK.