Battle at the Boardwalk

The Tournament

February 17-19, 2006
Atlantic City Convention Center
Atlantic City , New Jersey

GHK Enterprises, the organizer and promoter of the New Jersey Open, announces the inaugural "Battle at the Boardwalk", Atlantic City Grand Internationals, a martial arts tournament unique to the East Coast.

The "Battle at the Boardwalk", Atlantic City Grand Internationals, will be held February 17-19, 2006 , at the beautiful, state-of-the-art, Atlantic City Convention Center in Atlantic City , New Jersey. We will beutilizing over 130,000 sq. ft. of space. For the first time on the East Coast, a martial arts tournament will combine multiple disciplines. Already committed to participate are: (1)ITF Taekwondo (2) WTF Taekwondo (3) Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Submission Grappling (4) Jiu-Jitsu/Self-Defense (5)Eskrima (6)Breaking (7)Combative Sport Weaponry (8) Chinese Martial Arts (9) Sport Karate. On Friday evening, there will be a professional Mixed Martial Arts event sanctioned by the IFC and New Jersey Athletic Commission.

The martial arts are one of the fastest growing participant and spectator sports, as evidenced by the increase in the number of martial arts movies and movie stars. The popularity of martial arts is due in large part to the ability of men, women and children of all ages to participate.

Unique to this tournament is GHK's commitment to community involvement. GHK will provide a substantial number of free tickets to local elementary school children and their parents. In addition to exposing these children to the discipline and focus of the martial arts, in response to recent tragedies, GHK will be conducting self-defense and "abduction awareness"seminars to assist the children and their parents in avoiding and thwarting this nationwide epidemic.

The Venue

The Atlantic City Convention Center , with an address of One Miss America Way , is a state-of-the-art facility located adjacent to the Atlantic City Expressway, easily accessible by air, rail, bus, or car. A wide variety of hotels, from casino hotels, to the beautiful Sheraton Hotel, with an address of Two Miss America Way, adjacent to the Convention Center, to moderately priced hotels on the outskirts of the City, are in easy reach of the Atlantic City Convention Center, which is dedicating over 130,000 square feet, as well as its media center and staff, to the tournament. More information about the Convention Center can be obtained at www.atlanticcity.com . Click on "Meeting Planners"then "Atlantic City Convention Center".

Adjacent to the Convention Center is "The Walk", a strip of upscale outlets, including Reebok, Coach, Nautica, Banana Republic, Gap, Guess, Izod, Kenneth Cole, Geoffrey Beene, Tommy Hilfiger, etc., a tourist attraction in and of itself. The Walk has graciously agreed to give every participant a discount card for shopping at the walk. More information can be obtained at www.acoutlets.com .

Directors

Masters Edward and James Hsu, Directors of the World Taekwondo Federation ("WTF") portion of the "Battle at the Boardwalk", Atlantic City Grand Internationals, have been the organizers of the New Jersey Open, a smaller event, which attracted over 350 participants and 500 spectators. Nationwide, the WTF has over 40,000 members. Approximately 700 WTF participants and 1,000 WTF spectators are anticipated.

Mister Alvin Bernard, Director of the International Taekwondo Federation ("ITF") portion of the tournament, has been the organizer of the New Jersey ITF Tournament, a smaller event, which attracted over 250 participants and 300 spectators. The ITF has decided to make the "Battle at the Boardwalk", Atlantic City Grand Internationals an international event, inviting members from Canada, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Mexico, and other countries. At a similar event held in Orlando , Florida in July, 2005, there were over 1,000 participants and 2,500 spectators. Internationally, the ITF has over 2,000,000 members, with more than 80,000 members nationwide. Approximately 1,000 ITF participants and 2,000 ITF spectators are anticipated.

Master Jean Jacques Machado, world renowned grappling champion has agreed to serve as Director of the grappling portion of the tournament. With Master Machado serving as Director, the "Battle at the Boardwalk"is assured of a well-attended, well-run grappling event. Born in Rio de Janeiro , Brazil , Jean Jacques Machado is one of five brothers of the world renowned Machado Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu family. Master Machado began his Jiu-Jitsu training over twenty years ago. He dominated the competitive arena of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in his native country, capturing every major title and competition award from 1982 through 1992. In 1992, Master Machado arrived in the United States to continue his competitive success. Dominating the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu scene both in the United States and in international competition, Jean Jacques Machado is one of the most admired and respected Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners in the world today. Master Machado's talents have been showcased in several major motion pictures and television appearances. Master Machado is currently involved in the production of a series of instructional books as well as numerous teaching and training aids for the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Recognized and respected equally for his outstanding fighting and competitive accomplishments, as well as his technical, teaching and coaching expertise, Master Machado is in demand throughout the world as one of the foremost authorities in the field of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Master Michael DePasquale, Jr., who will also be "roasted"on Saturday night, Director of the Ju-Jitsu portion of the event, Master DePasquale is President of the International Federation of Ju-Jitsuans (I.F.O.J.J.), an international organization dedicated to promoting brotherhood and unity throughout the Martial Arts Community. At the age of 24, he was recognized by "Official Karate Magazine" as their 'Martial Arts Star of the Year' AAU East Karate Championship ('81).

Master Don Edwards, Director of the Eskrima portion of the "Battle of the Boardwalk", Atlantic City Grand Internationals, has promoted many events for various martial arts disciplines, including the World Eskrima, Eskrima Arnis Federation ("WEKAF"). Approximately 250 Eskrima participants and 600 Eskrima spectators are anticipated.

Masters Drew Serrano and Ralph Bergamo of the United States Breaking Association ("USBA"), Directors of the breaking portion of the "Battle at the Boardwalk", Atlantic City Grand Internationals, have promoted many breaking events, attracting over 500 participants and 1,000 spectators. USBA members can be seen on ESPN2 and The Discovery Channel. The USBA has confirmed that the "Battle at the Boardwalk", Atlantic City Grand Internationals will be a USBA sanctioned event, "The US East Coast 2006 Championships", thereby giving the "Battle at the Boardwalk", Atlantic City Grand Internationals national attention with USBA members.

Master John Chung will serve as Director of the Sport Karate portion of the tournament, using both WCMAO and NASKA rules. John Chung is a member of the Black Belt Hall of Fame, along with Chuck Norris and Bruce Lee. Rated number one in the world since 1981 and holding world champion titles in both fighting and forms, John Chung has had his techniques compared to Sam Snead's perfect golf swing, and his perfect 10 performances have been compared to Nadia Comaneci's perfect 10 performance. World Forms & Fighting Champion John Chung has been featured many times in cover stories on martial arts magazines. In addition, he has appeared on CBS News, ESPN, Fox News Lifestyles, Dance Fever, Regis Philbins's morning show, Eyewitness News, Nassau Coliseum, Madison Square Garden , White House, Capitol Center DC , RFK Stadium, DC Armory, FBI Academy . World Champion John Chung has privately tutored martial arts students from all over the world. Many of his students have gone on to become national champions. The "king of kata"John Chung has also trained youth competitors who have become both regional and national champions. Mr. John Chung continues to teach seminars throughout the world educating and enhancing the abilities of martial artists.

Kyoshi Kevin D. Hufford will serve as Director of the CSW Padded Weapons portion of the tournament. Kyoshi Hufford, a 9 th Dan, SOKE - Nihon To-Jutsu Karate-Do Kai, 9 th Dan SanRyuDo Iaijutsu, has received recognition as Grand Master, WMA Hall of Fame; Senior Master of the Year, UMA Hall of Fame; Soke of the Year, WKU Hall of Fame; Master of the Year - Kenjutsu, USA MA Hall of Fame; as well as many other honors and achievements. Adding to the credibility and entertainment value of the tournament, Kyoshi Gary Lee has graciously agreed to emcee the tournament, as well as participating in a number of seminars to enhance the overall experience for participants and spectators. In 1999, Kyoshi Gary Lee created the "Living Legends"to honor the true heroes of Sport Karate. The "Living Legends"pays tribute to those martial artists who helped pave the way for today's growth and popularity. Kyoshi Gary Lee's vision has paid respect to many living legends, including Allen Steen, Skipper Mullins, J. Pat Burleson, Bob Wall, Eric Lee, Jim Harrison, and Chuck Norris. This year's honoree is Master Michael DePasquale, Jr.

Overall, with additional disciplines committing to the "Battle at the Boardwalk", Atlantic City Grand Internationals, every day, it is estimated that for the two-day event, there will be 2,000+ participants and 3,500+ spectators! Also appearing is the Blue Dragon Demonstration Team, called "Team DFX". At the recent Amerikick International Karate Championships, the Blue Dragon Demonstration Team was the only team to receive a perfect "10", receiving multiple perfect scores. The Blue Dragon Demonstration Team performed at the Sports Illustrated 50 th anniversary party. Retained by NYC 2012, the Blue Dragon Demonstration Team performed for New York Mayor Blumberg, Governor Pataki, and members of the International Olympic Committee to support the effort to bring the 2012 Olympics to New York City . These events, along with an appearance on The Discovery Channel, have given the Blue Dragon Demonstration Team national exposure and recognition. Most recently, at the Battle of Columbus World Games, Team DFX continued its stellar record by placing first amongst all participants in the team demonstration competition.

The Championships

The Atlantic City Grand Internationals will consist of 9 separate Championships,they include: