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Photos: Martial Arts tournament in Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

Seven-year-old Christina Guiher demonstrates what she's learned in her karate lessons for judges during the sixth-annual Traditional Martial Arts Association Tournament at Le Roy High School this afternoon.

The Tournament consists of Sparring (point fighting), Individual Kata (forms), Team Kata, Weapons Kata, and Self Defense.

Tournament organizers are Soke William Cavalier (Livonia Tatsu Do School), Hanshi Dick Borrell (Borrell’s Karate Academy Batavia), and Renshi Fred Merica (Le Roy Karate & Self Defense Center/ Main Street Fitness). All three have been close associates and tournament/clinic organizers for the past 40 years.

Photos: Breaking things at martial arts tournament in Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

The 5th Annual Traditional Martial Arts Association Tournament was held Saturday at Le Roy High School and at noon, organizers presented a breaking demonstration.

The event was presented by Soke William Cavalier (Livonia Tatsu Do School), Hanshi Dick Borrell (Borrell’s Karate Academy in Batavia), and Renshi Fred Merica (Le Roy Karate & Self Defense Center/ Main Street Fitness). 

Fourth annual Traditional Martial Arts Tournament to be held Nov. 5 at Le Roy High School gym

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The fourth annual Traditional Martial Arts Association Tournament will be held at the Le Roy High School Gym Saturday, Nov. 5th, with eliminations starting at 10 a.m.

The tournament will consist of Sparring (point fighting), Individual Kata (forms), Team Kata, Weapons Kata, Self Defense, and MMA Grappling.

Tournament organizers are Soke William Cavalier (Livonia Tatsu Do School), Hanshi Dick Borrell (Borrell’s Karate Academy, Batavia), and Renshi Fred Merica (Le Roy Karate & Self Defense Center/ Main Street Fitness). All three have been close associates and tournament/ clinic organizers for the past 35 years.

John Ferrar from Bedroc MMA in Rochester will be sponsoring the MMA Grappling portion of the tournament.

Ages of competitors will start as young as 4 years old with no age limit. We have had competitors in the past well into their 70s. Divisions are broken down by skill level and age.

Spectators are welcome at $5 each and students at $4 each. To see a flier go to www.fitness-martialarts.com and click the link at top of page “November 2016 TMAA Tournament- Download Flyer” or call 585-414-3181.

There will also be a breaking demonstration at noon. They break everything from boards, bricks, coconuts, and Louisville Sluggers with their shins.

Anyone interested to help be a scorekeeper please call 585-414-3181 for more information, minimum -- 15 years old, no experience needed.

Tournament sponsors are:

  •     Northwoods Sporting Club / Le Roy 
  •     Chapin Manufacturers / Batavia
  •     Ben’s Appliances / Batavia
  •     Joe Spadaro / S&S Limo / Le Roy 
  •     Sport of Kings Restaurant / Batavia
  •     Cameron Construction / Le Roy
  •     Scofield Rolloff Services / Stafford
  •     Le Roy Karate & Self Defense Center / Le Roy
  •     Borrell’s Karate Academy / Batavia
  •     Livonia Tatsu Do Karate / Livonia

Third annual Traditional Martial Arts Association Tournament is Sept. 19 at Le Roy HS gym

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The third annual Traditional Martial Arts Association Tournament will be held at the Le Roy High School Gym Saturday, Sept. 19th with eliminations starting at 10 a.m.

The Tournament will consist of Sparring (point fighting), Individual Kata (forms), Team Kata, Weapons Kata, Self Defense, and MMA Grappling.

Tournament organizers are Soke William Cavalier (Livonia Tatsu Do School), Hanshi Dick Borrell ( Borrell’s Karate Academy, Batavia), and Renshi Fred Merica (Le Roy Karate & Self Defense Center/ Main Street Fitness). All three have been close associates and tournament/ clinic organizers for the past 35 years.

John Ferrar from Bedroc MMA in Rochester will be sponsoring the MMA Grappling portion of the tournament. John also teaches classes at Main Street Fitness in Le Roy.

Ages of competitors will start as young as 4 years old with no age limit. We have had competitors in the past well into their 70s. Divisions are broken down by skill level and age.

Spectators are welcome at $5 each and students at $4 each. To see a flier go to www.fitness-martialarts.com and click the link at top of page “September 2015 TMAA Tournament - Download Flyer” or call 585-414-3181.

There will also be a breaking demonstration at noon.

Anyone interested to help be a scorekeeper please call 585-414-3181 for more information. Minimum age is 15; no experience needed.

Tournament sponsors are:

    Northwoods Sporting Club / Le Roy

    Chapin Manufacturers/ Batavia

    Ben’s Appliances/ Batavia

    Joe Spadaro/ S&S Limo/ Le Roy

    Sport of Kings Restaurant/ Batavia

    Cameron Construction/ Le Roy

    Scofield Rolloff Services/ Stafford

    LeRoy Karate & Self Defense Center/ Le Roy

    Borrell’s Karate Academy/ Batavia

    Livonia Tatsu Do Karate/ Livonia

Second annual Traditional Marital Arts Tournament set for Sept. 27 in BHS gym

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The 2nd Annual Traditional Martial Arts Association Tournament will be held at the Batavia High School Gym Saturday, Sept. 27th with eliminations starting at 10 a.m.

The Tournament will consist of Sparring (point fighting), Individual Kata (forms), Team Kata, Weapons Kata, Self Defense, and MMA Grappling.

Tournament organizers are Soke William Cavalier (Livonia Tatsu Do School), Hanshi Dick Borrell (Borrell’s Karate Academy, Batavia), and Renshi Fred Merica (Le Roy Karate & Self Defense Center). All three have been close associates and tournament/ clinic organizers for the past 35 years.

John Ferrar from Bedroc MMA in Rochester will be sponsoring the MMA Grappling portion of the tournament. John also teaches classes at Main Street Fitness in Le Roy.

Ages of competitors will start as young as 4 years old with no age limit. We have had competitors in the past well into their 70s. Divisions are broken down by skill level and age.

Spectators are welcome at $5 each and students at $4 each.

To see a flier go to www.fitness-martialarts.com and click the link at top of page “September 2014 TMAA Tournament - Download Flyer” or call 585-414-3181.

Anyone interested to help be a scorekeeper please call 585-414-3181 for more information; minimum age -- 15 years old.

Tournament sponsors are:

  • Northwoods Sporting Club / Le Roy
  • Scofield Rolloff Service/ Stafford
  • Ron and Sue Odessa/ Batavia
  • Chapin Manufacturing/ Batavia
  • LB Grand/ Le Roy
  • Sport of Kings Restaurant/ Batavia
  • Got To Go Electric/ Le Roy
  • Don Cameron/ Le Roy
  • Shepard Maxwell & Hale/ Batavia
  • Radley’s Auto/ Corfu
  • Le Roy Karate & Self Defense Center/ Le Roy
  • Borrell’s Karate Academy/ Batavia
  • Livonia Tatsu Do Karate/ Livonia

New morning classes in taekwondo offered

By Billie Owens

Martial arts trainer Miquel Carraballo will offer a new morning class in taekwondo instruction beginning April 26 at Cain's Taekwondo Academy in Batavia. It will be held at 8:15 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Cost is $5 per class, and the first class is free with no obligations. He also offers one-on-one and evening classes.

"I really enjoy helping people take control of their health," Carraballo said. "What I do is not just training; I help people regain confidence, and help them through their struggle."

The academy is located at 214 East Main St., suite 7. Note: parking is actually on Liberty Street. Contact by phone at 344-4414, or via e-mail at <miquel caraballo@yahoo.com> or at <cainstkd@cainstkd.com>.

In 2004, the academy was named one of the Top 200 martial arts schools in the United States by Black Belt Schools International. Its students of all ages and abilities learn discipline and structure, get exercise and are educated about this ancient martial art in a family friendly environment.

GCC offers tai chi ch'uan and Mandarin Chinese lessons

By Billie Owens

This fall, Genesee Community College is offering tai chi ch'uan lessons and Mandarin Chinese lessons. Tai chi ch'uan lessons will be on Monday and Thursday evenings and Mandarin Chinese lessons on Monday and Wednesday evenings. Both are at the Batavia campus and open to all.

Tai chi ch'uan, translates literally as "supreme ultimate fist," and is commonly known as tai chi. It is a "soft" or "internal" Chinese martial art, an ancient discipline followed by millions of people all over the world.

The college in conjuction with the Red Dragon School of Martial Arts will offer classes on from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Monday and Thursday starting Sept.14 and running through Dec. 17. The cost for this 26-session class is $286 and registration can be made through the Records Office at Genesee.

Tai chi is a system of exercises with both physical and mental benefits that everyone can practice regardless of age and physical abilities. Through these classes, students work according to their ability and within their natural range of movement. The movements are extended, natural, gentle, graceful and relatively simple and easy to learn. Tai chi is also a martial art, where embodied within the slow, gentle movements are powerful vigor and force. Tai chi can also be used to improve health and wellness and has been shown to reduce stress, depression, pain, inflammation and blood pressure. It also has been known to improve flexibility, balance, strength, circulation and mental outlook.

The college will also offer free Mandarin Chinese lessons on from 6 to 7 p.m. Monday and Wednesday starting Sept. 21, in room B360 at the Batavia campus. The lessons will focus on integrating speaking and listening as well as reading and writing skills.

Mandarin Chinese is taught by Genesee student Aiwen Yang. Aiwen was born in China and attended Chinese schools until moving to Spain. While in Spain, she studied Spanish and French and taught Chinese to members of the business community. She is currently a resident assistant at College Village, the on-campus student housing.

"Tai chi and Mandarin lessons are great examples of the multi-cultural learning opportunities Genesee Community College regularly offers to our students and our community," said Karin Kovach-Allen, dean of Human Communications and Behavior at Genesee. "We're especially pleased that one of our own students has offered to share her culture and language with the community."

For further information about Tai Chi and Mandarin lessons, please contact Nina Mortellaro at 585-343-0055 ext. 6228.

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