I have been covering martial arts events here in the Southeast for over 3 years, so my vehicle has put on a lot of highway miles during that time. Some of the drives from Columbia, South Carolina are long and boring, causing me to overdose on coffee and listen to lousy radio stations to keep from falling asleep. But one of my favorite drives is the trip north from Columbia to beautiful Hickory, North Carolina to attend the Mountain View Karate Championships. NBL World Champion Breaker Doug Armstrong is the Promoter for this exceptional martial arts extravaganza that was held July 21-22, 2006. I can't say enough good things about Sensei Armstrong. His tournaments are among the best martial arts events found anywhere in the USA. Sensei Armstrong puts a lot of extra time and money into making this one of the premier tournaments in the country. The Hickory area is totally breathtaking and it is one of my favorite vacation sites in the Carolinas.

The Hickory Metro Convention Center is one of the best facilities in the Southeast to hold a tournament; it is very modern, clean and spacious. It is large enough to set up 14-16 rings comfortably and still have plenty of room to warm up.

The Mountain View Open is two days of action packed, high quality sport karate. Some of the best competitors from all over the East Coast filled up the Metro Convention Center. I estimated at least two dozen or more World Champions in attendance.

The Mountain View Open was dedicated to Armstrong's father, who passed away the day before the tournament. Armstrong was walking around with a heavy heart and debated whether to cancel the tournament, but he told me that his dad would have wanted him to go on with the tournament. It was apparent that Armstrong was very close to his dad. He told me that his dad was his best friend and his hero. Armstrong left for Illinois after the tournament to attend the funeral.

The Mountain View Open was also very well sponsored. There were many businesses that sponsored the tournament but none bigger than Hooters restaurant. Hooters also sponsored the pre-tournament poker party on Friday night. Four of their waitresses attended the tournament and consented to have pictures taken with the competitors and spectators.

The special guest for that weekend was Gary Lee of Houston, Texas. Lee is one of sport karate's Living Legends and was in attendance with his lovely daughter Robin promoting his organization. He also managed to do a demonstration for the competitors and spectators. He took his Samurai sword and quickly sliced and diced a cucumber on the stomach of volunteer Don Scarborough without drawing blood. He also did a seminar with the youth competitors.

Congratulations to Maurice Moore and Chris Urcinola for their induction into the Mountain View Open Hall of Fame. Moore has been around for years and is considered a legend here in the Southeast. Urcinola is one of the top youth black belts here in the Southeast. He is very exciting to watch. Both men are very deserving of the honor.

Also congratulations to Armstrong for his promotion to 6th dan. He was promoted by his instructor Grandmastr Dean Bottomly of San Diego, California. Armstrong now goes by the title of Shihan.

Armstrong managed to recruit some of the best judges in the Southeast such as Joe Corley, Preston Rodgers and Jerome 'Magic' Johnson, just to name a few. Dewey Earwood, Rick Lee and Brian Pena did an outstanding job coordinating the tournament.

This tournament had a little of everything, including musical divisions, contemporary weapons and forms, traditional divisions, breaking, self-defense, team forms and several different sparring divisions.

This is easily one of the best tournaments I have ever attended. I rate it a “5” Star event, one that I recommend highly to anyone who wants to attend a fair, organized, well-judged tournament. The talent was tremendous too, as good as any major USA tournament.

Grand Champions

JR. NOVICE FORMS - Josh Burns
JR. INTERMEDIATE FORMS - Bradley Norris
JR. ADVANCED FORMS - Courtney Steele
WOMEN'S UNDER BELT SPARRING - Melanie Corbitt
MEN'S UNDER BELT SPARRING - Keith Allison
JR. BLACK BELT TRADITIONAL FORMS - Lauren Ferguson
JR. BLACK BELT CONTEMPORARY FORMS - Lauren Ferguson
ADULT BB TRADITIONAL FORMS - Johnny Watkins
ADULT BB CONTEMPORARY FORMS - Jeff Doss
WOMEN'S BLACK BELT SPARRING - Rhonda Jennings
MEN'S BLACK BELT SPARRING - Nate Windsor
EXECUTIVE MEN'S BB SPARRING - Joey Shiflett