PDI GA's First Tournament
Purple Dragon International,
Friends, I trust this finds you all doing very well and your lives are filled with excitement and challenges. PDI Georgia competed in its first tournament over the weekend of April 26, 2008. There were seven of us who competed and it was the first tournament for 5 of the 7. When we walked into the gymnasium, we were all a little nervous. There were many people from many different dojos and everyone was sizing each other up. Some were old friends; many people were new to each other but will be friends long after this weekend. There were many different styles of martial arts represented. Most of the schools were Tae Kwon Do schools but there were also many people who were performing based on Karate, Kempo, Kung Fu and of course purple dragon!!!!!!
If you have ever wondered how impressive and how influential Purple Dragon is on people read further. I was walking through the gym and I heard a voice from behind me ask," Hey, Purple Dragon, how are Don and Johnny?" At first I was a little surprised because I did not know anyone at this tournament. But it was not me he recognized; it was the Purple Dragon name and patch. The gentleman who was asking turned out to be an old friend of Shihan Johnny Madrid and Professor Don Jacob. His name is "Papa San" and he had a dojo in NYC. About 4 years ago he moved to the Atlanta area and opened up his dojo here. He recently wrote a book and showed us a picture of Professor and himself from 1978 that appears in his new book. According to Papa San, he is going to come to our Dojo in June for our grading so he can reunite with Professor Jacob. Even though this was the first tournament for Purple Dragon - Georgia, we all realized that Purple Dragon International makes a lasting impression on people wherever we are.
After we sparred, performed our katas and weapons many instructors, sensei's and sans approached us in amazement and asked many questions about Purple Dragon International. We strongly believe PDI set a precedent for this tournament and for tournaments to come.
Once again and don't ever forget we are purple dragon!!!!!
I am very proud to announce that everyone who attended placed 4th or higher in the events they entered.
Instructor Chris Coxall - Grand Champion for Weapons and Forms
- 1st - Weapons
- 1st - Sparring
- 1st - Kata
San Josh Fox
- 3rd - Sparring
- 4th - Kata
San Eric Krise
- 1st - Sparring
- 1st - Kata
San Sharon Coxall
- 2nd - Sparring
- 1st - Kata
San Kevin Dewey
- 2nd - Weapons
- 2nd - Sparring
- 2nd - Kata
San Drew Reed
- 3rd - Sparring
- 3rd - Kata
San Grant Hess
- 2nd - Sparring