On May 4th and 5th The Tiger Claw Elite Championships was at the McEnery Convention Center in San Jose. This prestigious tournament draws an international and national crowd of contestants. It is hosted by Gigi and Johnny Oh and their Tiger Claw Martial Arts Supply Company. This tournament does not contain combat divisions and instead focuses on the dynamic and exciting display of exotic training routines and new choreography. The Tiger Claw Elite Championships is one of the only events where you see competitors from all branches of Chinese martial arts and sports together in one room at the same time.
The 10,000 Victories Kung Fu and Tai Chi School Team performed well and won many awards.
Sean Lim won the Gold Medal for his Northern Shaolin #6 Short Striking in the Northern Hand Form Division Advanced Division. He also won the gold medal with Darren Miyawaki in the Partner forms Division for their performance of Fire Water Staff sparring Form from Northern Shaolin.
Darren Miyawaki won the Gold Medal for his Northern Shaolin #6 Short Striking in the Northern Hand Form Division Beginner Level. He also won the gold medal with Darren Miyawaki in the Partner forms Division for their performance of Fire Water Staff sparring Form from Northern Shaolin. His third gold medal was for his Earth Dragon Staff Form in Northern Kung Fu Long Weapons Division.
Chris Larson won the Silver Medal for his Lan Shou Quan #1 in Northern Kung Fu Beginner Adults behind teammate Darren Miyawaki.
Henry Geddes won the Gold Medal with his Ba Shir Form from Xing Yi Quan in the Advanced Internal Division ages 40 – 60
Steve Eagleton won the Gold Medal with his Ba Shir Form from the Xing Yi Quan in the Advanced Internal Division 61 +
Carol Mirenda won the Bronze Medal for her Weeping Willow Sword from the Liang Zhen Pu style of Ba Gua Zhang in the other internal weapons category, and Bronze for Tai Chi Sword from the Chen Pan Ling Lineage.
Two of Sifu Joseph Vigneri’s young competitors competed successfully. Both kids live in Forrest Knolls, CA.
Forrest Morgan, age 17, from Forrest Knolls, Won the Silver Medal in Advanced Northern Hand form Teens Division with Northern Shaolin #6 Duan Da
Issac Donkin, age 8, from Forrest Knolls, Won the Silver Medal in Intermediate Northern Hand Children’s Division with Northern Shaolin #6 Duan Da. And a Gold Medal in the Intermediate Short Weapons Division with 8 Immortals Straight Sword.
Joseph Vigneri competed in the new showcase division. The “May the Fourth be with You” LED Saber championship featured creative performances using light sabers. Cosplay costumes and showmanship were encouraged. It was a great show and Vigneri gave a memorable and dynamic performance in full jedi attire.
Big thanks to our support squad Amy Rogers and Marian Brandenburg for their strong support and encouragement to our team and running around doing all the hard work documenting the event, taking lots of fun photos and videos. Marian won a special VIP experience and had a great time sharing it with Amy.
We’re incredibly grateful to Johnny and Gigi Oh for hosting this spectacular event where we meet together with our peers and compete for some stunning medals. Special thanks to Gene Ching, Bryant Fong, mason Tong and all the other staff members and judges who contributed to making it a special day for all involved.