Tournament News - 2021
COMING SOON
COMING SOON
Kyoshi Steve Tolson's 19th Annual Kombat Klassic Martial Arts Tournament took place on Saturday, October 26, 2019. This year, nine students--seven youth and two adults--competed. A. Seemangal, our black-belt head instructor, was a ring judge throughout the day and did an excellent job representing the Ramblers. The event was well-attended and the rings were packed with martial arts students who offered stiff competition. Entering the rings and performing for judges and spectators takes courage. Our Rambler competitors, including two first-timers, met the challenge and did their best, making Dr. Thomas very proud. Individualized plaques recording their competition placement in weapons, forms, and sparring were awarded to the competitors.
Congratulations to the following Rambler competitors!
Rambler Winners
Sixteen Rambler students--15 youth and 1 adult--competed in Kyoshi Steve Tolson's 18th Annual Kombat Klassic Martial Arts Tournament on Saturday, October 27, 2018. Many competitors from several schools provided tough competition, but our students were tenacious and proved to be up to the challenge. It was the first tournament for some of them and they did their best in the rings. Beautiful, individualized plaques recording their competition placement in weapons, forms, and sparring were awarded to the competitors. Dr. Thomas is very proud of each and every one of them.
We appreciate our black-belt A. Seemangal and adult advanced-belt students H. Jenifer and R. Smith for coming out to assist and encourage the school competitors. Our stalwart Rambler families supported our school and cheered on the competitors.
Congratulations to the following Rambler competitors!
Rambler Winners
Kyoshi Steve Tolson's 17th Annual Kombat Klassic Martial Arts Tournament provided good competition for the youth and adult Rambler students who participated on Saturday, October 28, 2017. For many, it was their first tournament and they gave it their all. Dr. Thomas is very proud of their efforts. Each competitor in the tournament received a beautiful plaque showing his or her competition record. The Tae Kwon Do Ramblers also received a plaque for the most supportive school for the second year in a row.
We appreciate advanced-belt students J. Adease (adult), H. Jenifer (adult), and A. Seemangal for coming out to assist and encourage the school competitors, as well as the Rambler families who supported our school and cheered on the competitors. We thank Ms. Renee Green of Renee Green Productions for filming tournament action for the Ramblers. We will post her video/montage when it is available.
Congratulations to the following Rambler competitors!
Rambler Winners
We Lead By Example, Inc./Tae Kwon Do Ramblers Self-Defense Systems hosted an invitational tournament on Saturday, March 25. Our students were excited to compete against students from Daka 2 Martial Arts Academy, Ponders School of Martial Arts, Power Punchers Association, Siafu Martial Arts Academy, Tolson's Okinawan Karate, and Universal Korean Martial Arts Academy. The tournament showcased about 100 talented youth and adults who came ready to compete and win. Dr. Thomas presented our organization's Leading By Example Award to Professor Bruce Goodwin Sr., Grandmaster Charles "Sonny" Ponders, Grandmaster Wayne "Tea" Thomas, Kyoshi Steve Tolson, Master Darryl Ellis, Master Diane Jones, Master Bruce Goodwin Jr., Master Lawrence Gholson, and Master Patricia Williams, as well as to Head Instructor Mr. Abdu'l-Karim Ewing-Boyd, Instructor Mr. Micheal Howard, and Instructor Mr. Mykell Mitchell. We thank all the black belts who brought their students and served as judges. We also appreciate Delegates Diana Fennell and Jimmy Tarlau and Mayor Walter James for coming by to support the Ramblers.
Congratulations to the following Rambler competitors! Check out the slideshow that follows this long list of winners to see them in action.
Rambler Winners
Twelve Rambler youth and three adult competitors participated in Kyoshi Steve Tolson's 15th annual Okinawan Karate Kombat Klassic open tournament, held on Saturday, October 29. The Rambler organization was awarded the Kombat Klassic "Most Supportive School" plaque for the most student competitors at the tournament. There was stiff competition in the six rings. Our school met the challenges, performed with confidence, and brought back 30 trophies. Several of Dr. Thomas' students competed for the first time and he is proud of the effort put forth by them and by his more seasoned advanced belts. It is difficult to perform in front of and compete against students from other schools and styles of martial arts and to face black-belt judges studying your every move as you do open-hand and weapons katas. Sparring an opponent from another school who has had different instruction pits your skill level against his or hers and it takes courage to enter the ring. Students learn that the most important thing is to work hard and do your best. That's what makes you a champion whether you place first, second, third, fourth, or fifth in any given competition. Dr. Thomas thanks the students who participated and their enthusiastic parents and families, as well as others from the Rambler family who came out to cheer on the competitors.
Check out this exciting video of one of our competitors (gold-belt captain) who went on to win a grand championship trophy!
Congratulations to the following competitors! Two youth (one competing for the first time) and one adult competitors won first-place trophies and subsequently won grand championship trophies (indicated below) when they competed against other students who had also placed first.
Rambler Winners
Thirteen Rambler youth and three adult competitors participated in Kyoshi Steve Tolson's annual Okinawan Karate Kombat Klassic open tournament, held on Halloween, Saturday, October 31. This tournament was so packed, the rings so full of martial arts students, and the competition so stiff that it was scary! Our school met the challenges and brought back 35 trophies and medals. Dr. Thomas, who arbitrated the event, is enormously proud of his students, many of whom participated for the first time. Competing in a tournament at any age takes guts! Who wouldn't have the jitters remembering forms and weapons and sparring combinations facing an opponent while being judged by black belts from many different styles and schools? This is a great life experience and entering a ring and performing builds confidence. Students learn how to win and how to lose and, most important, how to work hard and give their best effort. As Dr. Thomas says, if you do your best and try your hardest, there's nobody better! Thanks go out to the students who participated and to their parents and families, as well as to others from the Rambler family who came out to cheer on the competitors.
Rambler Winners
Congratulations to the following competitors!
Seven Rambler youth and one adult competitor participated in Kyoshi Steve Tolson's annual Okinawan Karate Kombat Klassic open tournament, held on Saturday, October 25. This stalwart and determined group held their own in this very challenging tournament, which was attended by over 200 people. The rings were full and the competition was stiff among the students from the several schools represented. Six Ramblers placed second, five placed third, two placed fourth, and five placed fifth. Dr. Thomas, who arbitrated the event, is very proud of his students, and he appreciated the support shown by their families and other Rambler students (S. Albert, N. and Z. Ashe-Moncet, and D. Cabrera) and their parents who came to show their support for our family.
Rambler Winners
Congratulations to the following competitors!
Seven Rambler youth competitors participated in Shihan Steve Tolson's annual Okinawan Karate Kombat Klassic open tournament, held on Saturday, October 26. Dr. Thomas arbitrated the event and ensured that a good time was had by all and that the judging was as fair as possible for all competitors. Represented were several schools and many competitors. The Ramblers held their own and showed the other schools that they have what it takes to be champions, whether numbering few or many. Although family and friends were a small group, we made our presence known as we loudly cheered on our Ramblers and proudly represented our school. The Ramblers carried off 13 trophies (5 first, 6 second, and 2 third place) and 2 medals. Not a bad day's work!
Congratulations to our competitors!
Rambler Winners
Leroy "Superfeet" Taylor's Maryland Victory Cup Karate Championships, one of a series of tournaments in this year's SFL (S.M.A.R.T. Family League, based in Silver Spring, Maryland) World Tour, took place on Saturday, May 25. Twenty-four Rambler students competed and were cheered on by both by their family members and by the other Rambler family spectators. Dr. Thomas, the arbitrator, was dapper in his suit and tie and cool and calm as questions or complaints naturally arose in an event with over 300 competitors putting forth every effort to win first place. Competing with so many other martial arts students from different schools and styles was a good challenge for the Rambler students, several for whom this was a new experience. Seven youth and adult Ramblers performed in the weapons category, 24 competed in katas, and 19 sparred. They stood strong, did their best, and rallied each other's spirits throughout, ultimately culling 30 trophies (1st place--9, 2nd place--12, and 3rd place--9) and 20 medals (fourth place) at the end of a long tournament day. Dr. Thomas appreciates the efforts of the competitors and he is proud of them, but he also thanks their families for their own efforts and for what they do to support everyone in the Rambler family as they look out for each other.
The rankings of the competitors are listed below--congratulations to everyone!
Ramblers’ Children's and Adult Division Winners
Shihan Steve Tolson's annual Okinawan Karate Kombat Klassic open tournament, held on Saturday, October 13, attracted many competitors, including from a school in Pennsylvania. Each competitor came to win and the schools had the bleachers filled with animated spectators. The 27 competing Ramblers and their many family members and friends were no exception. Wearing yet another sharp suit and looking good, Dr. Thomas coolly arbitrated the event, keeping an eye throughout the long day on what was transpiring in all the rings and in the stands and trying to accommodate the needs of the participants, the judges, and the spectators. Ten youth and adult Rambler students performed in the weapons category, 27 competed in katas, 18 sparred, and several first-place winners competed in the underbelt grand championship round. Our black belts, Mr. Hinton and Ms. Brogsdale, breaking away from college studies, served as judges in the rings. They led by example, and both inspired and encouraged the lower-belt Ramblers who were competing. Rambler competitors won 57 trophies and 2 medals. The trophies included 4 grand championship (not only remarkable as a repeated record number for one school from one tournament, but again for the family connection, as 2 of them were earned by members of one Rambler family), 17 first place, 20 second place, and 16 third place. They had worked and practiced hard to prepare themselves, but there is nothing compared with the reality of actual competition, particularly in sparring with students from other schools for the first time. Dr. Thomas is proud of his students and pleased with the exceptional efforts of the newer Ramblers who faced tough competition and delivered by doing their best. He also appreciates the strong support of the Rambler family.
Congratulations to the following competitors!
Ramblers’ Children's and Adult Division Winners
Twenty Rambler students competed in the annual Kombat Klassic open tournament on Saturday, October 22. Dr. Thomas, looking sharp and representing in another of his trademark suits, was the arbitrator for this annual event hosted by Shihan Steve Tolson and Okinawan Karate. Ten youth and adult students performed in the weapons category, 20 competed in katas, 15 sparred, and several first-place winners competed in the underbelt grand championship round. Mr. Hinton competed in the black-belt division for the first time, and did the Ramblers proud with his powerful performances. Rambler competitors carried off 45 trophies and 3 medals. The trophies included 4 grand championship (not only remarkable as a record number for one school from one tournament, but also because 3 of them were earned by members of one Rambler family), 20 first place, 12 second place, and 9 third place. Dr. Thomas thanks the parents and friends who came to cheer on the competitors, who are all winners because they practiced and came out ready to compete. Dr. Thomas and his students look forward to returning next year.
Congratulations to the following competitors!
Ramblers’ Children's and Adult Division Winners
Dr. Thomas received a trophy on behalf of the Tae Kwon Do Ramblers, presented to him by the tournament hosts Master Curtis Quick and Master Carl Matthews, both to acknowledge the Rambler competitors and to thank him for representing with the most students at the packed Maryland Super Showdown Youth Championship on the College of Notre Dame campus. He also received a beautiful plaque in appreciation of his support for the tournament and for his role in serving as the arbitrator. (On an additional note, although there was no official award category for fashion, Dr. Thomas won hands down as he sported a handsome gold suit.) Disney was one of the sponsors of the tournament--because of their current interest in martial arts with the launch of their new program called "Kickin' It" that began this month--and they set up a related, interactive activity for the competitors at the tournament. Rambler competitors admirably represented themselves and the school. All events and each ring were filled to overflowing with fellow competitors who were ready to rumble, many from the local area and several who traveled from New Jersey and New York. The 17 Rambler competitors provided tough competition and performed well in sometimes relatively daunting situations. As they left Baltimore, they carried away 8 first-place belts, 16 trophies, and numerous medals. Dr. Thomas takes great pride in the mettle of the student competitors, who for this tournament ranged from ages 5 to 17, and appreciates the support of their families and other Rambler supporters.
Scroll down this page to see the names of the competitors, the places they took, and exciting action photos.
Congratulations to the following competitors!
Youth Competitors
First-place students received belts instead of trophies, which were given for placing 2nd or 3rd
Eight Ramblers competed in World Champion Leroy "Superfeet" Taylor's 2011 Karate Championships at Randallstown Community Center on Saturday, May 14. Dr. Thomas was the arbitrator for the event and he made sure that people enjoyed themselves and were satisfied that competition was both exciting and fairly judged. He was, as always, the best-dressed man at the tournament, this time sporting a red suit that got everyone's attention. Competition was tough in both the youth and adult divisions, but the Rambler competitors, whether seasoned or less experienced, were well prepared to come out strong and compete toe-to-toe with students from other schools. To reward their efforts, the Ramblers garnered 17 trophies and 1 ribbon. Dr. Thomas is proud of his students who competed and thanks their families for showing their support!
Scroll down this page to see the names of the competitors and the places they took.
Congratulations to the following competitors!
Ramblers’ Children's and Adult Division Winners
Fourteen of Dr. Thomas' youth and adult female Rambler students competed in the East Coast Regional Female Tournament on April 23. The participants in this tournament came prepared to win and brought on fierce competition. The Rambler competitors left with 23 hard-earned trophies (given for first- through third-place winners), including a triple-crown first place in weapons, forms, and sparring for first-brown belt W. Brogsdale. Dr. Thomas is proud of the performances of all his female students, especially those who competed for the first time, and thanks their families for their support throughout training and at the event. He also appreciated the other Rambler students and their families who came out to support their fellow students and the organization. Competitors will tell you that it encourages them when they see and hear the loud cheering from the Rambler family for each of them as they perform in their rings!
Scroll down this page to see the names of the competitors, the places they took, and photos of the action.
Congratulations to the following competitors!
Ramblers’ Children's and Adult Division Winners
Twenty-one Rambler students competed in the annual Kombat Klassic open tournament on Saturday, October 23. Dr. Thomas served as the arbitrator for this highly-anticipated event hosted by Shihan Steve Tolson and Okinawan Karate. He characteristically led by example both in his attire and his efforts to ensure that the tournament was conducted fairly and that the competitors and spectators alike enjoyed their participation. Fifteen youth and adult students showed their skills in weapons and 21 performed katas, while 13 youth rumbled in the sparring rings. Rambler students garnered 51 trophies, including two grand championships. Everyone who competed was a winner, along with the Rambler spectators who wholeheartedly supported the competitors and were no doubt hoarse by the end of the day from their rambunctious efforts! Dr. Thomas and his students have the utmost respect for Shihan Tolson and his school and look forward to the opportunity to participate in this well-organized and well-run event next year!
Scroll down this page to see the names of the competitors and to view photos and videos chronicling this exciting event.
Congratulations to the following students who trained hard and gave it their best in competition!
Ramblers’ Children's and Adult Division Winners
The videos below show the Ramblers in action.
Links to more action-packed videos are found below!
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Dr. Thomas' brown belt K. Hinton competed in the JW Kids Classics held at Oxon Hill Senior High School on Sunday, November 1. The event was sponsored by Kwanjang James Wyatt and the Washington Tae Kwon Do Club. Mr. Hinton placed first in weapons, forms, and sparring. To top it off, he took the grand championship in weapons in his age group. Congratulations on a job well done representing the Ramblers!
On Saturday, October 24, Dr. Thomas brought 28 student competitors to Shihan Steve Tolson's annual Kombat Klassic. He was the arbitrator for the tournament and again set the bar for style as he sported a striking red suit in honor of the late, great soul singer Wilson Pickett that caught everyone's eye. The Ramblers always enjoy participating in this event!
Dr. Thomas' students dominated with 15 competing in weapons, 28 in forms, and 20 in sparring. Sixty-three trophies left in the hands of the Ramblers. Congratulations to the following students!
On Saturday, May 16, Dr. Thomas took two youth brown belt and one adult blue belt Rambler students to compete in the Leroy "Superfeet" Taylor Maryland Victory Cup at Milford Mill Academy. Together they garnered eight trophies. Dr. Thomas, known for his fairness in judging competitors, served as one of the ring referees at the tournament. His outstanding performance made the experience enjoyable for the competitors in his ring. Congratulations to the following students!
Ramblers’ Children's and Adult Division Winners
On Saturday, April 25, 14 Rambler students participated in the highly-anticipated All Female Open Martial Arts Championships at the Riverdale Baptist High School Field House. It was designed by women for girls and women of all ages. Although there are many prestigious female practitioners throughout the world of martial arts, tournaments focusing on their extraordinary talents are significant events that not only showcase the skills of these girls and women, but promote awareness of the feminine commitment to the martial arts, something Dr. Thomas never fails to acknowledge and encourage in his teaching.
The tournament was sponsored by The National Women's Martial Arts Federation, whose representatives urged the audience to support not only by participating in and attending tournaments but also by contributing financially to the many supportive activities they organize for girls and women, including training camps. Dr. Thomas is extremely proud of his students who participated and shares in their excitement of winning 25 trophies for the Ramblers, including 1 for a grand championship competition, won by M. Clement. His female students in turn are pleased that Dr. Thomas recognizes their special talents and leads by example in his unstinting commitment to support women in the martial arts.
Ramblers’ Children's and Adult Division Winners
On Saturday, October 25, the Tae Kwon Do Ramblers participated in the annual Kombat Klassic, presented by Shihan Steve Tolson and held at Thomas Stone High School in Waldorf, Maryland. The ever-exciting tournament was arbitrated by Dr. Clifford Thomas, who kept the event on schedule and characteristically made it enjoyable both for the large number of people who competed and for those who came to cheer on the competitors. Twenty-four Ramblers competed in weapons, forms, and sparring, and they came away with almost 60 trophies and medals, as well as pride in knowing they had worked hard to prepare and did their best in the face of tough competition, no matter the final outcome. The effervescent Ramblers' parents and friends spritedly supported the competitors, while the competitors made themselves known in every ring by their resounding introductions and energetic performances. The Ramblers thank Dr. Thomas, who worked diligently to prepare our competitors through his demanding training and inspirational encouragement. Congratulations to the Ramblers who participated!
Ramblers’ Children's and Adult Division Winners
On Saturday, October 27, the Tae Kwon Do Ramblers participated in the annual Kombat Klassic, presented by Shihan Steve Tolson and held at Thomas Stone High School in Waldorf, Maryland. Dr. Clifford Thomas was the skilled arbitrator at the well-attended event. Thirteen Ramblers competed in weapons, forms, and sparring, and they came away with a number of trophies. Ramblers' parents and friends lent their wholehearted support to the competitors. Congratulations to the Ramblers who had worked diligently to prepare for the tournament and who took their rings by storm!
Ramblers’ Children's and Adult Division Winners
On Saturday, June 2, Master Terryl D. Richardson held his USHOFMAA-sanctioned Second Memorial Tournament at the District Heights Municipal Center, District Heights, Maryland. USHOFMAA's Dr. Clifford Thomas expertly ran the tournament, in which Ramblers of all ages competed in weapons, forms, and sparring, winning many trophies. The Ramblers' Ms. Cheryl Evans-Hinton, scorekeeper par excellence, lent her expertise to the ring judges throughout the day. Ramblers' parents, friends, and other students represented mightily and loudly supported both the Rambler and other worthy competitors, local from Maryland and Virginia, and from other locations, including Colorado, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, and Trinidad. A highlight of the tournament for the Ramblers was the awarding of Title of Dojunim and 10th degree dan black belt to Dr. Clifford Thomas by the World's Warriors Council of the USHOFMAA. The Council awarded Grandmaster Furman Marshall Supreme Grandmaster status, 12th degree black belt, for his many years of experience and producing almost 500 black belt students in his organization over 50 years, and a number of other awards to leading martial artists who were present at the tournament.
Ramblers’ Children's and Adult Division Winners
The Tae Kwon Do Ramblers participated in the Grand Championship Karate Tournament, Simba Do Jang Karate School, held at New Hope Academy in Landover Hills, Maryland, on Saturday, December 2. Presented by the school's Grandmaster Reggie Jackson and Dr. Joe Parrish, president of the United States Head Of Family Martial Arts Association (USHOFMAA), the tournament was officiated by Dr. Clifford Thomas, USHOFMAA's executive vice president. Fourteen Ramblers competed in forms, weapons, and sparring, winning over 35 trophies. Ramblers' parents, friends, and other students supported the competitors. Congratulations to the successful competitors, winners every one!
Ramblers’ Children's Division Winners
On Saturday, October 28, the Tae Kwon Do Ramblers participated in The Kombat Klassic, presented each year by Shihan Steve Tolson and held at Thomas Stone High School in Waldorf, Maryland. Dr. Clifford Thomas, Executive Vice President, United States Head Of Family Martial Arts Association, officiated at the event, both keeping order and entertaining the audience. Thirteen Ramblers competed in weapons, forms, and sparring, winning at least 40 trophies and medals. The Ramblers' Ms. Cheryl Evans-Hinton served as a scorekeeper for ring judges. Ramblers' parents, friends, and other students came out in force and maintained the organization's reputation as the loudest group of cheering supporters at the tournament, led by head cheerleader Ms. Pat Wilson. Congratulations to the young people who participated in the event--you're all winners!
Ramblers’ Children's Division Winners
On Saturday, June 10, 2006, the Tae Kwon Do Ramblers participated in Master Terryl D. Richardson's USHOFMAA-sanctioned First Memorial Tournament at the District Heights Municipal Center, District Heights, Maryland. USHOFMAA's Dr. Clifford Thomas and Dr. Joe Parrish officiated at the event, in which fifteen Ramblers of all ages participated in weapons, forms, and sparring, winning at least 30 trophies among them. The Ramblers' Ms. Cheryl Evans-Hinton and Mr. Charles Wisher volunteered to work as scorekeepers for ring judges and were kept busy throughout the day. Not to be outdone, a large group of Ramblers' parents, friends, and other students represented the organization, supporting both the school's participants and the tournament by providing a lively and exhuberantly cheering audience, particularly when they heard a loud Rambler introduction emanating from one of the six rings.
Ramblers’ Children's and Adult Division Winners
The Tae Kwon Do Ramblers and the Power Punchers held an intramural open tournament on March 5, 2005, at the Bladensburg Community Center in Bladensburg, Maryland. Planned and coordinated by Dr. Clifford L. Thomas and Senior Master Wayne Thomas, this standing- room-only event will be remembered for some time by its 150 registered competitors and numerous avid spectators. The intramural was seminal to the organized tournament circuit concept recently developed by the United States Head Of Family Martial Arts Association and announced by Drs. Joe Parrish and Clifford Thomas, president and executive vice president, respectively, at the event.
Teams from Maryland, Washington, D.C., Virginia, and New Jersey were represented at the intramural. Breaking, weapons, forms, and fighting competitions generated so much enthusiasm that the eagerly-anticipated Thunderdome (a team-fighting/weapon competition originated by Dr. Thomas) and the grand championship bouts had to be cancelled to allow sufficient time for the large number of competitors to participate in the other events. Competitors were encouraged to practice good sportsmanship throughout and were rewarded by the spirited support of the spectators who celebrated participants no matter where they placed in a given competition.
A two-and-a-half-hour marathon of tremendous breaking was only the start of the activities. Master Foday Sando impressed the crowd by his skillful breaking of both boards and cinder blocks, and the team from Camden, New Jersey, particularly showed great skill in this event. Youth and adults next competed in weapons, forms, and fighting. These competitions were marked by outstanding performances from a number of competitors from various schools, including Ms. Rose Queen of the Ramblers’ adult team, whose showmanship brought down the house. Dr. Thomas’ “army” of Ramblers led the field of contenders in the winning of trophies, but all the teams were winners and no competitor left without a trophy representing his or her hard work and enthusiastic participation.SAFETY AND SELF-DEFENSE CLASSES, SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS OF ALL AGES.
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