May 12
17
Summer Siege – July 21, 2012
JULY 21, 2012 in Kenosha, WI
ATTENTION:ATHLETES, FIGHTERS, and COMPETITORS!!
Pankration and Gi/No Gi event to test your skills and help raise money to support
TEAM USA get to Moscow, Russia for the FILA 2012 Worlds Championships in Pankration and Combat Grappling.
ABSOLUTE DIVISION… CASH PRIZE!!!!!— with Gracie Barra Champaign-Dragonzlair,
Susie Wyatt, Ricardo Perez and 23 others
Posted in Grappling MMA Pankration by .
May 12
17
Who else wears your belt?
Craig "The Professor" Pumphrey
When I watch pro fighters in any fighting sport I often wonder who trains with them and who helps them get there. I can look at any fighter who is in the lime light and even though they may have what is know as a “fight camp”, usually there is just a few that wear their belt. What I mean is there are many people who help that fighter train for a fight, but there is only one or two that came up the ranks with that fighter. Someone who literally learned their techniques as they trained with that fighter. Someone that all the experimental moves, takedowns & striking combinations were practiced on. These are the ones that will stay with you when others leave because the training was too hard, or they didn’t get rank fast enough. I often tell my students “You’re only as good as the person you train with”. This is very true within martial artsand the people you train with can be an asset, or a stumbling block.
Everyone must find a person who shares their enthusiasm, and is like minded when it comes to learning anything new. I remember when I began looking for a new way to approach martial arts, I researched mountains of information on several different fighting styles & their instructors. I wanted something that wasn’t heard of in my area, and at the time that guided me to research Pankration. I found myself taking moves & techniques from dozens of styles and then researching which of those techniques worked in real fights & which didn’t. This took several years and I went through several training partners. Then I began teaching someone who would take the years of punishment, injuries, blood & sweat, just to find a style that was effective; a style we could call our own. This continued for years (This is a story within itself) but needless to stay he became my first black belt. My friend Ivan Dale, became not only my first black belt, but also became very detailed in his own teaching methods as an instructor. With National titles & World titles of his own, we still to this day strive to perfect our art, Eclectics & Pankration everywhere we go.
You will find yourself more times than not looking for a training partner, and I will tell you this…..they are hard to find. When you do find someone who shares your ideas, you have found a rare thing. Just as when Bruce Lee was searching to create something new, he also found a training partner who shared that dream, Daniel Inosanto. To become a better martial artist it is good to bounce ideas off of other people who have diverse backgrounds, and come from different areas. For example, I have a new student who is working on learning Pankration yet no one in his area is familiar with this style. There are a lot of BJJ students in his area, and he has a friend who likes to train in BJJ; so he asked me “What should I do”? I suggested he train in BJJ with him, and learn all you can learn about that style. Then schedule some days where he can train with you in Pankration so he can learn something new himself. Before you know it you both will be skilled in two different styles, and you both will have a great time training. Later, you can both compete in Bjj & Pankration tournaments which will only enhance your skills and sharpen your knowledge.
There is nothing wrong with learning other styles and competing in other tournaments that are not your style. Personally, I have competed in Wrestling, Kickboxing, Jiu-Jitsu, Submission, Tae Kwon Do & MMA tournaments. So, find someone you can train with even if that means in another style, and who knows, that person may become a good friend and maybe even your first black belt.
Craig Pumphrey is a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Pankration and founder of the Eclectics Martial Arts system. You can reach Craig directly at EKnation.com.
Posted in Pumphrey Pages by .
May 12
17
Reflections
- Chuck Dismang
Chuck Dismang is the Owner and Operator of Full Moon Martial Arts, he also has a PHD in Martial Sciences, along with a Black Belt in Karate.
Posted in Dismang Pages by .
May 12
12
Australian State Championships 2012
Apr 12
26
2012 Hoops for Heroes
April 14th, 2012 brought many of our friends together to help raise money for the Frank C. Denzinger Foundation at the Hoops for Heroes event hosted at Christian Academy High School. Each year the event features local Police, Fire, EMS, and Military Teams. This year not only had intense basketball rivalry but offered live entertainment, massage therapy, mini-golf, & face painting for the kids.
It was great to see Eclectics Black Belt, Jason Hatfield, and many other friends from the New Albany Police department supporting such a great cause. We also saw local MMA Fighter, and recent Gold Medal winner of the 2011 World Police and Fire Games in freestyle wrestling, Josh Stith, with the Jeffersonville Fire Department.
Congratulations to the Louisville Metro Police for their 2012 Championship at Hoops for Heroes. They are the first Police Department to win Hoops for Heroes. 
A congratulation also goes to the Jeffersonville Fire Department on their second place finish in 2012.
“Hoops for Heroes” was created in 2008 by a group of individuals committed to continuing the legacy of Officer Denzinger and supporting the Frank C Denzinger Foundation. The foundation was established to offer scholarship opportunities to current police and corrections officers to continue their education. In June of 2007, Officer Frank Denzinger was shot and killed when he and Officer Joel White responded to a domestic disturbance call in Georgetown, Indiana. A 15-year-old suspect ambushed both officers with a high powered rifle as they arrived at the scene. Officer Denzinger was transported to University Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky, where he succumbed to his wounds. Officer White was also wounded in the shooting. The suspect committed suicide in the home a short time later. You can contact the organization at hoopsforheroes.org.
Here is a list of the teams represented at this years event:
Posted in Eclectics News by .
Mike West recently promoted the annual Midwest Arm Wrestling Challenge in Floyds Knobs, Indiana and Eclectics was there! The tournament had entries from 6 different states representing some of the best talent in the country. Indiana had the highest amount of representation and was able to enter two teams into the competition.
Arm Wrestling is a sport that can be found in every culture throughout history. Modern Arm Wrestling is governed by organizations who regulate the rules and competitions. Recently the sport has experienced exposure on the ESPN networks, and documentaries such as Pulling John can be found on Netflix and other DVD services.
Eclectics was well represented as Eclectics Breaking Black Belt, Mike West, took second place in the 198 weight class, with Eclectics Blue Belt, Brad Spine, taking first place in the 154 division. Mike & Brad are both state, regional, and even world champions in the sport. In world rankings Brad is ranked in the top 10 at his regular competition weight of 143. Brad recently reached a milestone in the sport by winning over 32 professional state titles. Mike is also ranked within the top 10 in the nation and is a 3 time Gold Medal World Champion. Arm Wrestling runs deep in Eclectics as a cross training sport, both Craig and Paul Pumphrey are professional Arm Wrestling athletes holding state titles of their own. Ivan Dale is also a Kentucky and Indiana Amateur State Champion. Eclectics would like to give a special thanks to Mike West and Terry Spine. You guys are the individuals who taught all of us the sport of Arm Wrestling, and if was not for you we would have never experienced this great sport.
We took a minute to ask Mike what his thoughts are on the best benefit fighters can gain by cross-training in Arm Wrestling. “I find grip strength to be the most beneficial. In Arm Wrestling training you do many different exercises to strengthen your grip. I have never found another sport, including Judo or Jiu-Jitsu, do a better job at developing that strength fast”.
The next big tournament is the Indiana State this June. We wish both Mike and Brad good luck in the upcoming competition. For more information on the sport, or to contact Mike directly, visit armsbyjc.com.
Midwest Challenge Results
Kids:
Light weight
1st Liberty Flynn, 2nd Alexia Koenig, 3rd Wyatt Shields
Middle weight
1st Blake Firsich, 2nd Levi Jecker
Heavy weight
1st LaRay Jenkins, 2nd Tray Jenkins, 3rd Riley Firsich
Novice:
154 R
1st LaRay Jenkins, 2nd Clint Robbins, 3rd Brandon Simpson
198 R
1st William Gee, 2nd Chris Louive Jr, 3rd Luke Hurst
198+ R
1st Eric Reicher, 2nd Richard Jenegan, 3rd Keith Lancaster
Open:
154 R
1st Brad Spine, 2nd Ray Jenkins, 3rd James Runyan
176 R
1st Chris Burk, 2nd Wesley Randall, 3rd Ray Jenkins
198 R
1st Mark Wilson, 2nd Mike West, 3rd Ferris Durik
242 R
1st Doug Allen, 2nd Josh Reichert, 3rd Rex Forbes
242+ R
1st Doug Allen, 2nd Jonathan Vogt, 3rd Pat Duvall
154 L
1st James Runyan, 2nd Brad Spine, 3rd Jordan McGuire
198 L
1st Ryan Barnett, 2nd Mark Wilson, 3rd Ferris Durik
198+ L
1st Doug Allen, 2nd Jonathan Vogt, 3rd Josh Reichert
Women:
1st Kiran Carlin, 2nd Tabitha Reed
Teams:
1st Indiana (#2), Jon Vogt, Jordan McGuire, Chris Burk, Brad Spine, Mike West, Doug Allen
2nd Indiana (#1)
3rd Kentucky
Posted in Eclectics News by .
2012 US Armed Services Mixed Martial Arts Championships
Featuring Grappling & Pankration Divisions
May 12, 2012
52 Area Fitness Center
Bldg #530301
Marine Corps Base
Camp Pendleton, CA
This is a Free All Armed Forces Tournament
Open to all branches of the US Armed Forces including Drilling Reservists
One Open Skill Level for Both Styles
1000 hrs -‐ GRAPPLING CHAMPIONSHIPS
1300 hrs -‐ PANKRATION CHAMPIONSHIPS*
Both Styles are Double Elimination
Custom Medals for 1st, 2nd & 3rd
http://fightleague.org
Posted in MMA Pankration by .
Saturday, June 16, 2012
9:00am until 5:00pm in CDT
Join the WCGA/USACGA for another great day of tournament action at the WCGA/USACGA Pankration and Grappling Tournament. This will be a single elimination, NO GI tournament.
Registration: 8:30 – 10:30 am
Rules Meeting: 10:30 am
Eliminations Begin: 11:30 am
Competitors (At Door) : $35 (One Division) $45 (Both)
Competitors (Advance) : $30 (One Division) $40 (Both)
Spectators: $5 (Children under 5 Free)
WCGA Pankration and Grappling Division Information:
1. Athletes may be required to prove age at the request of event staff.
2. Youth and Teens (5 -17 Years):
i) To be determined based on tournament attendance.
ii) Age: Should not exceed 3 years accept in adult divisions.
iii) Gender: Combined until age 14+
iv) Weight: Should not exceed 15 lbs.
3. Adult Weight Classes (18+ Years):
i) Adult Men (18+):
(a) Kilos: Under 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 90, 110, 110+
(b) Pounds: Under 132, 143, 154, 165, 176, 198, 242, 242+
ii) Adult Women (18+):
(a) Under 50, 55, 60, 65, 75, 75+
(b) Pounds: Under 110, 121, 132, 143, 165, 165+
4. Levels
i) Beginner (Under 2 Years)
ii) Advanced (Over 2 Years)
All divisions are NO GI.
http://www.usacombatgrappling.com
Posted in MMA Pankration by .
Apr 12
19
Sign of the Times
- Chuck Dismang
Sign of the times, Things change for the better , Better than ever , Out with the old and in with the new…… We have all heard theses phrases before somewhere and sometime in our lives. The question is do they really fit in all cases ?
My self as a martial artist I see many things that have changed in our community that I see as great benefit to us all, however as a traditional martial artist I see too many that frankly disturb me.
I first must say that the skill levels of most of the competitors I see now are with out a doubt exceptional . These young next generation martial artist have great physical skill and ability. they are determined and focused in what they do there is no question about that. My question goes out to the teachers of these fine athletes . What morals are you teaching to your students ?
I will not say that I totally agree with the phrase “ There are no bad students only bad teachers “ There are bad students on many different levels ,however that will have to be addressed at a later date . lets stay focused on the question. Maybe I should break that question down into two parts.
1) What are you teaching your students about the history of the arts ? I have seen so many teachers that have very little to no idea as to the history of what they are teaching to their students .many will tell you that all that clutters the mind and take focus away from training and has no practical value in today’s classes. Personally I believe they just don’t know and more than likely they don’t care because history of the art has no marketable value to them, Harsh words but sadly very true in some cases. The art and all of its teachings are meant to be passed on to it’s Karateka (practitioners ) so that it will remain alive and in tact .Passing down a tradition is not simply a matter of preserving historical materials and leaving behind words chronicling past events. The purpose of tradition is to bring life to techniques and their spirit which have been imprinted into the human body.
2) What life lessons and values are you teaching ? As we all know the martial arts systems are all a form of fighting arts. Yet back to the history part they were designed as self defense not for bulling people. I for one look back on my youth and mis-use of the arts with shame . and do not tell theses stories to impress students. There is enough violence in our communities today we do not need to promot it or make better gang members and thugs. And what values do we teach our students all in the name of winning a trophy . using dirty tactics in the ring, playing mind games with other competitors, walking around with our noses in the air and bragging. These things I see at almost every tournament and to me show nothing but disrespect to all and the art .
There is nothing wrong with being a good competitor but when we lose repect for others in the name of a trohpy , we show no respect to the art or our teachers before us as well as our selves.
To all the true teachers that show their students a path of life and give them the true journey of being a martial artist Thank you for all that you do to promot the true art and it’s teachings. We as teachers have an obligation to not only train fighters but to help all of our students achieve their goals and in the end help them to become better people as well. Being a martial artist is a lifelong journey that will as in any journey have hills and valleys for us to pass over and through ,it is only the true of heart that will complete this journey and find it’s many joys. Focusing on only the matireial things and titles will only cloud your mind and hender the journey.
I usually always leave a qoute at the end of each article that I feel has a significant meaning and value to the article . Today I had such a hard time deciding which fit humor me as I leave you with several that fit in so many ways…………………………..
To search for the old is to understand the new. The old, the new, this is a matter of time. In all things man must have a clear mind. The Way: Who will pass it on straight and well?
He who would study Karate-Do must always strive to be inwardly humble and outwardly gentle. However, once he has decided to stand up for the cause of justice, then he must have the courage expressed in the saying, “Even if it must be ten million foes, I go!” Thus, he is like the green bamboo stalk: hollow (kara) inside, straight, and with knots, that is, unselfish, gentle, and moderate.
Students of any art, including Karate-do must never forget the cultivation of the mind and the body.
Gichin Funakoshi
Chuck Dismang is the Owner and Operator of Full Moon Martial Arts, he also has a PHD in Martial Sciences, along with a Black Belt in Karate.
Posted in Dismang Pages by .
The United States of America Federation of Pankration Athlima (USAFPA) hosted its annual “Xtreme Coutures Pankration Event March 31st and April 1st 2012. The Event was a huge success with a guest appearance by Randy Couture and Urijah Faber. The event started on Saturday with the Adult Pankration and Combat Grappling divisions. The talent experience was immense. The 1st place winners of female and male weight divisions will have the 1st opportunity to represent the USA in its “quest for the gold” in Moscow, Russia October 17th-19th 2012, run by FILA. Some women’s weight divisions are currently available. Please email President Dave Sixel at President@USAFPA.org
The USAFPA will fund some of the funds for each competitor expenses to help aid in their trip to Moscow. Although, this amount is not enough to fully pay each competitors way to Russia, the USAFPA is asking for sponsors or donations which can be made through the USAFPA website at www.USAFPA.org. Online you have the option of either sponsoring an individual athlete or you can sponsor as a whole. The USAFPA is a nonprofit organization in which a donation can be made for a tax write-off with a 501c3 status. Also we can use a company logo on the athlete warm-ups for advertising purposes as a thank you. Funds are in dire need to support the “best of the best” to bring home the gold medal. Last year over 60 Countries competed with Ukraine taking the gold 1st place, USA placing silver 2nd place, and Russia taking the Bronze 3rd place. This was an incredible battle in both men and women divisions. Because of lack of funds last year, the USAFPA was unable to fill all weight divisions. And we still overall brought home a 2nd place silver medal. This in its self shows the dedication and passion each and every athlete puts forth.
On Sunday April 1st, 2012 the USAFPA hosted its annual US Youth National Title in which youth from the ages of 5 to 18 years old competed. The 1st place winners of each weight division will have the first chance to represent the USA in the “Youth Championships” held in Guam 2013. (More details to follow on the USAFPA website www.USAFPA.org). You can find a listing of weight divisions along with the top 3 winners of each division on the USAFPA website.
Funding is currently needed for both Adult and Youth World competitions. If interested in becoming a sponsor please see www.USAFPA.org for details. Help us show our talent to the World.
2012 US Team
Mens: 60kg Gi – 1st: Matthew Betzold, 2nd: Jon Barker
62kg NoGi – 1st: Matthew Betzold, 2nd: Mike Tubera
65kg Gi – 1st: Phillip Palmejar
66kg NoGi – 1st: David Blanco, 2nd: Nick Kaluza
70kg Gi – 1st: James Bennett, 2nd: Ian Gagnon
71kg NoGi – 1st: Ian Gagnon
75kg Gi – 1st: Angelo Trevino, 2nd: Russ Tabaka
77kg NoGi – 1st: Angelo Trevino, 2nd: Arthur Powell
80kg Gi – 1st: Tom Eaton, 2nd: Samuel Bracamonte
84 NoGi – 1st: Tom Eaton, 2nd: Carlos Ribadeneira
90kg Gi – 1st: Frank Sanchez, 2nd: Joshua Eckman
92kg NoGi – 1st: Brandon Collins, 2nd: Dahlen Wilson
110kg Gi – 1st: Ronald Ayres
100kg NoGi – 1st: Ronald Ayres Absolute Gi – 1st: Mark Mendez
+100kg NoGi – 1st: Michael Smith, 2nd: Ken Lee
Womens:
53kg NoGi – 1st: Amy Noonan
58kg NoGi – 1st: Laura Salazar
64kg NoGi – 1st: Jessica Pryor
64kg Gi – 1st: Katrina Maki
71kg NoGi – 1st: Monica Salazar
Posted in Eclectics News Grappling MMA Pankration by .
