Students Make the Grade! 

Students from Maizis Martial Arts Academy in Stayner, Ontario graded for their next belts on June 12, 2010.  After a four and a half hour grading for the advanced students and a two and a half hour grading for the novice students success for all was the theme of the day. 

Achieving the rank of orange belt was Justin Khalaj.  Yasmine Khalaj, Colton Mulvale earned the rank of red belt while Diane Babeckas, Augustin Blazquez and Brett Hanley earned the rank of green belt.  Alexandros Maizis earned his blue belt along with Hunter Partridge.  Georemy Johnston achevind his purple belt.   

“The students worked hard,” says Soke Maizis, “they have a lot to know, and I am proud of each of them.” 

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

Watt Heading to the World Championships

Three local athletes from Maizis Martial Arts Academy in Stayner, Ontario travelled to Ottawa, Ontario May 21-23, 2010 to compete in the WKC Canadian National Championships.

The three girls representing Team Maizis did an outstanding job.  In order to qualify for the National Championships, Caitlin Mathews, Rachel Pentz and Liz Watt went to the regional championships in April.  The top eight were eligible to compete at the Nationals. 

Caitlin Mathews, moving up an age category from last year, competed in five events.  After two rounds of eliminations she was able to go on to the finals on Sunday in two events, Chinese Style and musical weapons.  Competing against girls 4 years older and several belts higher, Mathews was fifth in the Chinese division and sixth in the musical weapons division. 

Rachel Pentz, in her first ever National Championships, competed in two events.  This new girl to competition faired well and after two rounds of eliminations, placed seventh, narrowly missing the  top six cut-off to be eligible for the Sunday finals.

Liz Watt, also new to the competition scene, competed in two events, musical weapons and Korean Style.  Watt, after her two elimination rounds, ended up seventh in the musical weapons and was in the top six, earning her the right to go to the Sunday finals.  With intense competition on Sunday, Watt ended up winning the Bronze medal.

As the Bronze medalist, Watt will now be representing our country at the WCK World Championships this fall in Portugal. 

Coach Soke Maizis was on hand to coach these athletes.  Maizis, long-time Team Canada member and head of Genki-Do Kempo Karate, was impressed with all three of her students.  “The girls worked hard.  I am really proud of their accomplishments.  They have tremendous potential and will be something to watch for in the very near future.” 

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

Watt Wins Karate Tournament

Athletes from Team Maizis, representing Maizis Martial Arts Academy in Stayner, Ontario travelled to Hamilton, Ontario to compete in the Ontario Provincial Open Karate Championships.

In one of the biggest events of the year the four team members had a fantastic day.

Caitlin Mathews, who recently represented Canada at the WKC World Championships in Ireland, won 5^th in weapons, 3^rd in kata and 2^nd in kumite.

David Reid has a great day as a new brown belt and was a finalist in weapons, kata and kumite.

Alexandros Maizis won 4^th out of 26 kids in his division for kumite.

Liz Watt had a terrific showing winning 1^st in her kata division and 3^rd in musical weapons.

Coach Soke Maizis, who is a world champion herself, is impressed with the success of these athletes.  “They all performed amazing, it is great to see their hard work come to such a success.  I am very proud of each of them.”

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

Mathews Starts the Year Kicking

Caitlin Mathews, from Maizis Martial Arts Academy in Stayner, Ontario competed in the first event of the year, the Crispin Annual Winter Shi-ai.

Mathews, who won the Silver Medal at the World Championships in November, started her year off kicking.  After competing in her kata division, she ended up tied for first place.  To break the tie, Mathews then had to do a tie-breaker performance which ended up with her winning the division.  She also placed third in both her weapons and kumite division.

“Caitlin is starting her year off with success,” said Soke Maizis, “watch for this girl, she will accomplish great things this year.”

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