OCTOBER 17,18 & 19  2008
          What a beautiful week-end in Lake Tahoe. The weather was perfect
     and the view of the mountains and lake was breath taking. There were
     many breath taking moments at the 14th Annual Clash of the Warriors
     Belt Finals too! The first ever Friday night tournament went off without
     a hitch. Many new faces from around the Lake Tahoe area gave some regular
     GSKA Competitors new challenges. The Belt Finals ran a smooth as ever
     with much excitement! Black Belt Competitors including, Willie Hicks,
     Julio Castro, Paul Mendoza, Kyle Richards, Richard Mendez, Jon Cabreros,
     Charlie Zarza, Mike Andresen, Rolando Caasi, Matt Kleier and Sylvester 
     Youngblood to name a few, made for an exciting final. The $1,000.00 Grand 
     Winners were Paul Mendoza for sparring and proving that heart is just as 
     important as skills. Julio Castro again wowed the crowd with his extreme 
     forms and closed in on the $1,000.00 for the Grand Forms Division. 
     Some of the Black Belt Women, Jessica Varma, Stacey Wellniz and Stacy Collins 
     inspired the young girls who watched their competition in awe. 
     These ladies all wonderful role models. 
        The night show was spectacular! Cheyenne Mulligan started the show off with
    some awesome vocals. Demo Teams were after that. Mr. Abrescy brought his demo team 
    "U C Merced", along with 'The Dragons" and "Kovars Red and Black Attack" all wowed the crowd. 
    Mark Shuey also said a few kind words about the GSKA and then did a Cane Demo on stage.
    Thank you to the many young talented forms competitors who showed their skills
    in the night show too. The night show was capped off with the Black Belt Tag Teams!
            Accepting the GSKA School of the Year award was Dr. Lee Williams of 
   GoJu Fu Kendo of Stockton, Ca. Volunteer of the Year Award went to that
   always cheerful volunteer, Diane Bingham of Merafuentes Korean Karate.
   Competitor of the Year Awards went to (boy) Hunter Wyatt of Ceres Karate,
   (girl) Brittaney Rigby of Merafuentes Korean Karate,(men)Peter Ortega of Extreme
   Team Martial Arts, Salinas and Bev Lowry (women) of Taberna's TaeKwonDo of
   Manteca. These competitors are chosen by the respect, ambition, sportsmanship
   and behavior they have shown to the GSKA and represents their schools as a
   true martial artist.
      Accepting the GSKA 2008 Hall of Fame was Junior Merafuentes. Merafuentes
   is a long time competitor and supporter of the GSKA and acknowledged this in his
   speech. Merafuentes always offers new ideas and and insights which helps the
   GSKA grow and the GSKA is thankful for that. CONGRATULATIONS MR.MERAFUENTES!
      
     GSKA looks forward to starting the 15th year as the best Martial Arts Tournament
  Circuit in California. Please check out the website for updates and info monthly.