WAKO TEAM USA representing KICK International at the WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN IRELAND
FULL CONTACT TEAM USA
Christopher Aaron Salinas - 54 Kg
Javier Gutierrez Minjarez - 63.5.Kg
Albert C Garcia - 75Kg
Anselmo Martinez - 81Kg
Christopher Wayne Tramell - 86Kg
Shannon Dawnell Driscoll Morton - 65Kg
Nancy C. Garcia - 60Kg
Damon L. Kennard and I am from Upper Darby Pennsylvania. A 5th Degree Black Belt in Tang Soo Do as well as having studied Isshin-ryu Karate and Aiki-jujitsu. Training since 1983. Competing as a Black Belt since 2003. Currently a NASKA 3-Time World Champion in Sport Karate. Competing in the full contact kickboxing for the current 2011 WAKO National Team.
Master Christopher Rappold A member of WAKO TEAM USA holds a 6th Degree Black Belt in Karate and is a Three-time World Champion, recently winning his third gold medal at the W.A.K.O championship in Italy. He is a graduate of Bridgewater State College with a degree in Physical Education. He has represented the United States of America as a top athlete in his sport many times over the years. In both 1995 and 1997, Mr. Rappold was awarded the prestigious "Martial Artist of the Year Award". He has been honored locally as "Business Person of the Year" by the Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, he has been recognized as a 50th Medallion Winner at Cardinal Spellman High School. In celebration of their 50 year Anniversary Cardinal Spellman commemorated Mr. Rappold as being one of the "50 Most Influential People" to graduate Cardinal Spellman.
Mr. Rappold has been studying the martial arts since 1982. He has earned the title of Master Instructor in the art of Tae Kwon Do. Being a student of the art, he has had the opportunity to study with some of the finest martial arts practitioners in the world. His intensive study brings the students of Personal Best limitless possibilities in their quest for knowledge. As the Founder and C.E.O. of Personal Best Karate, Mr. Rappold has taken the attributes that made him a success in competition and integrated them with outstanding operational systems that are implemented and utilized at his centers. The Personal Best curriculum focuses on teaching character education, physical fitness, and personal protection skills to people of all ages. Mr. Rappold is a self-disciplined person with talents and abilities that are mirrored by his students. As an active community leader, he continues to extend his positive influence not only in the schools, but also throughout the community. Mr. Rappold currently champions an anti-bully program, BullyGuard®, in 29 local schools. Additionally, he is the Founder of Personal Best Charity. The major event for the charity, under the direction of Master Rappold, is the annual "Turkey Brigade". The Turkey Brigade, which began in 1993, is an effort to provide Thanksgiving dinners to needy families in the area. It is has provided over 16,000 holiday dinners to families spanning 30 communities over the past sixteen years. Also, Master Rappold created a scholarship program at Personal Best to provide full tuition to children who otherwise would not be able to attend the school. Further, Personal Best Charity supports New Hope, an anti-domestic violence organization. His efforts on behalf of so many people have been recognized nationally by his representation as an Olympic Torch Bearer. At a local level, Mr. Rappold is the recipient of the "Friends of Children" Award as an "Inspirational Role Model". More recently Mr. Rappold received an "honorary citation" from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, House of Representatives, for continued success in orchestrating the Turkey Brigade for 14 years and his dedicated support of families in need. For more information on the life improvement programs at Personal Best www.Personalbestkarate.com
Freddie LaPan http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShA3elyB0Bw - 26 years of Martial arts experience. 7th Degree in Shaolin Kempo Karate. Holds Word Titles in NASKA, NBL, KRANE, ISKA and PSKL in individual and team competition. Former member of the Team CJB. Will be representing the USA in 162.8 class 40+.
Christina Davidson has been training in the Martial Arts for over 17 years. Christina trained in Tae Kwon Do for 13 years achieving the rank of 3rd Degree Black Belt under Master Bastien. In her pursuit to further her martial arts knowledge, she began studying Kenpo/Jujitsu and Kickboxing, achieving a 1st Degree Black Belt under Terry Dow. During her first week of training with Terry, Christina attended a seminar with Bill "Superfoot" Wallace. This enhanced her interest in kickboxing, and she now holds a 1st Degree Black Belt in the Superfoot Systems and a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Kenpo/Ju Jitsu. Christina started her career teaching kickboxing at Terry Dow's Academy of Martial Arts. Shortly thereafter she became a Certified Personal Trainer through NASM, forming her own personal training business named "Fit to Be Toned". Fit to be Toned is located at The Training Station in Manchester, NH, which is co-owned by Christina Davidson and Terry Dow. Owner, Fit to be Toned - Personal Training / Kickboxing Instructor, Manchester NH, Co-Owner of The Training Station, Manchester NH.
Master Terry Dow began training in Kenpo Karate at the age of 9 in March of 1983, earning his first Black Belt at the age of 15. As a teenager, Terry began competing and studying any material he could find in books or videos from Bill "Superfoot" Wallace. At the age of 19, Terry met "Superfoot" and after the first seminar knew that he wanted to train directly under the legend. In the summer of 1994, just after his 21st birthday, Terry kicked off the training by living in LA with Superfoot . Training consisted of 2-hour private lessons every day, focusing on kicking, flexibility, conditioning, and sparring. After years of National level Sport Karate competitions and traveling all over the country, Terry switched over to Kickboxing and earned a spot on the 1999 WAKO Karate Kickboxing Team. Terry competed in the world championships, representing the USA in Carole, Italy in November, 1999. Along with his extensive training in the Martial Arts, Terry has also attended Stunt School and appeared in several movies (e.g.The Cutoff, Your Money or Your Life [film short], and Thomas the Train). Terry opened his own Martial Arts school at the age of 20. Always trying to increase his knowledge and improve his skills, he has also trained under Soke Michael Depasquale Jr., Tony Cecchine, Guru Bernard Langan, and Hanshi Bruce Juchnik, to name just the major influences.
Current Ranks include:
5th Degree Black (Master) Superfoot Systems,
4th Degree Black Multi Cultural Art
3rd Degree Black Chinese Kenpo Karate,
1st Degree Black Kosho Shorei Ryu Kenpo.
Coach "Team Dow" MMA and Kick Boxing
Today Terry and Christina Davidson co-own the Training Station in Manchester, NH, an 8000 sq. ft. facility for martial arts, conditioning, fitness, and MMA. Terry also instructs classes and seminars around the country.
Alicia Bianco is a 21 year old from Coventry, RI. She is a third degree blackbelt in Shaolin Kempo and trains under instructor Dennis Molloy at State of the Arts Karate Center in Warwick, RI. Alicia is fighting in the Women's 18-29 (145-154lb) division for the USA WAKO team. She is also a fulltime college student at the University of Rhode Island and will be a senior this year. She double majors in Elementary Education and Writing. Alicia has been training in martial arts since she was 6 years old and has been competing full time as a member of the Pitbulls National karate team since the age of 14. She has since earned many titles on the KRANE circuit including numerous Women's Fighting Grand Championship titles and first place in the Women's fighting 18-29 division overall for the past 3 years.
Trixie Dumas is an elementary school art teacher, middle school field hockey coach, and mother of three. She started her martial arts career sixteen years ago with her oldest son, Troy. Now a fourth degree black belt in Shaolin Kempo Karate, Trixie competes regularly in weapons, forms, and sparring, as well as teaches classes to all age levels. She is a member of the Pitbulls’ National Karate team and three-time winner of the Krane Female Competitor of the year for weapons, forms, and fighting. Trixie will be traveling to Ireland as a veteran female fighting competitor. This is the second time she has traveled with the WAKO/USA team. Two years ago in Italy, Trixie won the silver medal in her division.
Dennis Molloy, Male Veteran Heavy Weight Fighting - Dennis Molloy started his training in 1978. He earned his black belt and established his own school, State of the Arts Karate Center, in 1982. Currently he is a seventh degree black belt. An accomplished competitor, Dennis has competed in weapons, forms, and fighting, eventually just focusing on fighting. He has won numerous state, national and two Krane World titles. Dennis is a Krane Hall of Fame competitor, instructor, and coach. Founder of the Pitbulls’ National Karate team, which had five fighters qualify for this year’s WAKO team, Dennis believes in leading his team by example. For the last seven years Dennis has been the number one fighter in his division nationally. This is the second time he has traveled with the WAKO/USA team. Two years ago in Italy, Dennis won the bronze medal in his division.
Andrea Sepe (Andy for short) 18 and from southern Rhode Island. will be competing in Woman’s fighting ages 18-29 weight class 121 and under. For the past four and half years, karate has been my life! I’m always looking for new ways to push myself and new goals to reach. I’m very independent, energetic, and always ready to take on a challenge. Besides karate, I love skateboarding, football, sports cars, fighter planes, drawing anime, listening to music (Disturbed is my fave band and I totally heart Nikki Minaj!), playing guitar, the beach, anything outdoors, hanging out with friends and sleep. I’m always up for something new and exciting! So excited to be a part of this awesome team!
Paul Adams began his martial arts career in 1997 under the tutelage of Isshinryu teacher Master Don Hawkins. Paul was the last member of his family to join the Chester Karate Club, but he was the first to earn a black belt. That happened in 2001. Paul began competing in martial arts tournaments as a green belt. He has competed successfully regionally, nationally and internationally. From his home in suburban Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Paul competes in tournaments sanctioned by U.M.A.R.A. and MASMAL (in the Mid-Atlantic region), NASKA and NBL (nationally) and WAKO (internationally).Adams enjoys demonstrating his knowledge, prowess and versatility. He competes in weapons kata, empty hand kata (forms), point sparring, continuous sparring, and full contact sparring. As a member of the 2009 USA WAKO Team he traveled to Italy and competed in the 2009 World Championships. Most recently on October 8, 2011, Adams won first place in kata and in sparring at the U.M.A.R.A. Regional Championships in Buena, New Jersey. In addition, he won the tournament sparring grand championship. The 2011 year is proving to be one of Adams’ most successful years as a competitor. He is looking forward to continuing his string of competition success when he travels with the 2011 WAKO United States National Team to Ireland.
