Magnificent Mathews wins Silver for Canada

Caitlin Mathews, from Maizis Martial Arts Academy with locations in Barrie and Stayner Ontario,  travelled to Dublin, Ireland to compete at the first-ever WKC World Karate Championships.  In order to compete at these championships Caitlin had to earn her place on the team but winning regional and national championships.

Mathews, rookie team Canada member, was in fine form at the championships.  This green belt competiting against black belts (five ranks above her) went into the finals in second place.  Mathews who trains with World Champion and Head of Genki-do Kempo, Soke Michelle Maizis, went on to win the SILVER medal for Canada. 

“Caitlin trained extremely hard for this event,”  Soke Maizis says, “I am extremely proud of her accomplishment.  She has grown in leaps and bounds since she has been training with me and I expect grand things from her in the future.”

For more information about martial arts in the Simcoe County area call 705-428-KICK

Caitlin Tops Crispin Karate Circuit

Caitlin Mathews, from Maizis Martial Arts Academy in Barrie, Ontario competed in the Annual Fall Crispin Shi-ai on Sunday, October 18, 2009. 

Mathews, who is preparing to represent Canada at the WKC World Championships this fall, had a fantastic day.  She was first in both kata and weapons in the intermediate division, and fifth in kumite for the intermediate division.

In the Crispin Circuit Ratings this fantastic athlete placed first overall for all three of her divisions as well as the overall point winner for the entire intermediate division.

Caitlin’s new coach/teacher, Soke Maizis, head of the Genki-do Kempo system, is extremely proud of her success.  “Caitlyn works extremely hard and gives her all 100% of the time….she is a real pleasure to teach.”

For more information about martial arts in the Simcoe County area call 705-428-KICK

Mathews Taking on the World

Caitlin Mathews, from Maizis Martial Arts Academy in Barrie, Ontario will be representing Canada at the WKC World Championships in Ireland, October 30 - November 04, 2009.

Mathews is a new student for Soke Michelle Maizis, inheritor of the Genki-Do Kempo Karate system.  Mathews made the team in May 2009 but recently decided that she needed a coach/teacher with more experience.  Maizis is a long time Team Canada member and a multi hall of fame inductee, although this year she is taking a sabbatical from competing.  Maizis runs a school in Barrie, Richmond Hill along with the home dojo (school) in Stayner, Ontario.

“Caitlin is a real pleasure to work with,” says Soke Maizis, “in just a few weeks there has been a tremendous improvement.  I am so proud of her; it is an incredible success to be representing our country at the World Championships.”

Mathews is required to fund the entire championships herself.  She has had much success in her fundraising efforts and is only shy about $1000 of her fundraising goal.

If anyone is interested in helping this young athlete meet her financial goals, or to find out more about martial arts in the Simcoe County area call 705-428-KICK

New Ranks for Students

On Saturday, June 20, 2009 students from Maizis Martial Arts Academy in Stayner, Ontario graded for their new belts.

Earning the new rank of orange belt was Brett Hanley.  Amber Connell and Georemy Johnston earned the new rank of green belt.  Jason Redman, Jenny Redman, David Reid and Angel Vollick all earned the new rank of purple belt.

Soke Michelle Maizis, head of Genki-do Kempo, says, “These students did a remarkable grading.  Their techniques, stamina and attitude were top notch.”

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

Maizis Wins Gold

Two members of Team Maizis, representing Maizis Martial Arts Academy in Stayner, Ontario travelled to Hamilton, Ontario to compete in the YMCA Open Karate Championships.

David Reid had a great day.  This veteran competitor competed in three events.  In the adults weapons division he took second.  Reid was fourth in 35 and over kata division and second in the 35 and over kumite division.

Alexandros Maizis, son of head coach Soke Michelle Maizis, had an amazing day.  He was third in the 6 and under kata division, then Maizis kicked his way to the top winning the 6 and under kumite division.

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

McEwen Kicks her Way to the Top

Two athletes from Maizis Martial Arts Academy in Stayner, Ontario travelled to Hamilton, Ontario to compete in the Circle of Friends Martial Arts Championships on Saturday, May 09, 2009.  “The duo representing Team Maizis did fantastic”, says Soke Maizis, team coach.

David Reid had a great day placing 3^rd in the adult kyu belt weapons kata, 3^rd in the men’s over 40 advanced belt kata and 4^th in the men’s over 40 advanced belt kumite.

Katelyn McEwen, new to competition this year, had an awesome day as well.  McEwen placed 3^rd in 11/12 novice kata and then went on to win 1^st in the 11/12 novice kumite.

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

Maizis Students Earn New Belts

On Saturday, March 28, 2009 students from Maizis Martial Arts Academy in Stayner, Ontario graded for their next belts.  Students are tested on their basic karate skills, self-defense, physical and mental endurance as well as martial arts history.

Soke Maizis, head of Genki-do Kempo, was impressed with the abilities of all students grading.  “These people put their heart and soul into their training.  For them it is about learning and getting better, not just getting a new belt.”

Achieving their yellow belts were Justice McEwen, Colton Mulvale and Liam Woolley.  Justin Khalaj achieved his orange stripe belt while sister Yasmine Khalaj achieved her orange belt.  Also achieving their orange belts were Amber Jean, Eric McEwen and Katelyn McEwen.  Kyle Lawton achieved his first level blue belt.  Samantha Hudson and Christopher Millar are new first level purple belts while Noel Ward achieved his first level shodan-ho belt (probationary belt before black belt).

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

Phillips Earns Black Belt

On Saturday March 14, 2008 Sempai Norman Phillips of Maizis Martial Arts Academy in Stayner, Ontario did his physical test for his Shodan (first degree black belt).  Phillips, a long-time member of the Academy, had a gruelling 10-hour physical grading as well as a week long grading on his technical and teaching abilities.

Soke Maizis, head of the Genki-Do Kempo system and Phillips’ instructor was very impressed with his grading.  “Sempai Phillips has what it takes to be a black belt in our system.  He will carry on the system as Soke Glenn Kwan intended.  His physical abilities, his technical accuracy and his mental capabilities will be a terrific assist to our system.”

Phillips was earned the rank of Shodan at Maizis Martial Arts Academy in Genki-do Kempo.  This is a huge accomplishment.  His sights are now set on achieving his Nidan (second degree black belt), which is a minimum two-year journey.

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

Success for Team Maizis

Team Maizis, representing Maizis Martial Arts Academy in Stayner, Ontario travelled to Hamilton, Ontario on Saturday, February 28, 2009 to compete in the Ontario Provincial Open Karate Championships.  In the first main event of the year, the ten students participated had an amazing day.

In their first ever competition, four siblings brought home some hardware.  Justice McEwen was a finalist in both kata and kumite in the 6 and under division.  Katelyn McEwen was 3^rd in kata and 2^nd in kumite in the 11/12 girls novice division.  Eric McEwen was 5^th in kata and 4^th in kumite in the 9/10 boys novice division.  Amber Jean was 5^th in kata and 4^th in kumite in the 9/10 girls novice division.

Brother and sister, Justin and Yasmine Khalaj also had a great day.  Justin was a finalist in the 6 and under novice kata and kumite.  Yasmine was 5^th in kata and 5^th in kumite in the 7/8 novice division.

Blue belts Christopher Millar, Samantha Hudson and David Reid were also successful in their divisions.  Millar was a finalist in 11/12 weapons, 4^th in 11/12 boys intermediate kata and 3^rd in 11/12 boys intermediate kumite.  Hudson was 4^th in 13/14 weapons, 2^nd in 13/14 girls intermediate kata and 3^rd in 13/14 girls intermediate kumite.  Reid was a finalist in weapons, kata and kumite in the over 40 advanced division.

Alexandros Maizis had a terrific day.  Maizis was a finalist in the 6 and under weapons division, 3^rd in kata and 2^nd in kumite in the 6 and under advanced division.

Final results were also in for the National Martial Arts Circuit for 2008.  Reid was first in the adult kyu belt weapons and second in both the adult male kyu belt kata and kumite divisions.  Maizis was fifth in the junior kyu belt weapons, and first in both kata and kumite in the 6 and under division.  Congratulations to these two athletes for the Canadian National ranking for 2008.

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

Five Make the Grade

Five students from Maizis Martial Arts Academy in Stayner, Ontario graded for their next belts on Saturday, February 21, 2009.  Soke Maizis, head of Genki-do Kempo Karate, was there to make sure these students passed all of their requirements.

All five students passed their physical and mental tests.  Brett Hanley achieved his yellow belt while Agustin Blazquez and Diane Babeckas achieved their orange belts.  Georemy Johnston achieved his red belt.  Alexandria Cumming, 2008 Team Canada member, achieved her shodan-ho belt.  Cumming is now in her final belt before black belt.

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