World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation Midwest Regional Championships

Double Stick Fighting(I'm in Black)

My Jornales System Team Mate Mel

My Jornales System Team Mate Wendy Wigger-Jornales

Me

Wendy and I

OH What a day. For those of you who know me, you know I never say "I can't" and I never quit. Well, I have to say, the past few days have been a real test to my constitution. I have had full blown flu since Wednesday the 14th and today is the 19th! Tournament was on the 17th - and the rules are clear. You must qualify at regionals to move on to nationals. There was no way, flu or no flu, I would go down without a fight.

On Friday I traveled to Milwaukee Wisconsin for the WEKAF Midwest Regional Championships. The car ride was a killer...but when we got to the hotel, with the help of Nyquil, I got some good rest and was ready to face the tournament day on Saturday. WOA! Was I sick. I did my form, left the ring and fell to my knees. But I made it through. Happy to say, I took first in Traditional Multiple Weapons. I had some time to rest before fighting, ate a bagel and drank some Gatorade...and took a nap until they called me to the ring. I am also very happy to report that I will keep my regional titles in Full Contact Single Stick Fighting and in Full Contact Double Stick Fighting. As sick as I was, the exhibition fight was a blast. I don't know where the burst of energy came from, but, there is tremendous power in prayer. I LOVE to perform and I LOVE to compete but I have to admit, the flu really took the wind from my sails and kicked my butt. This was a hard one...but, I DID IT. Nationals, HERE I COME!

WEKAF Midwest Regional Championships

Just an update.
On October 17, 2009 I will head to Wisconsin to compete at the Midwest Regional Championships.
I will be competing in traditional multiple Weapons using the Hook Tabak-Patalim, in Single stick fighting, and also double stick fighting.
WISH ME LUCK, AND PLEASE KEEP ME IN YOUR PRAYERS :)

NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL KARATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Just this past Saturday I went to Detroit for the North American International Karate Championships, hosted by none other than Mr. Conell Loveless.
A few months ago Mr. Loveless asked me to do a weapons demo at his tournament, and of course I was in like Flynn! Well, a few days before the tournament I decided, what the heck, I'll just compete for the fun of it.
What an amazing event. There were over 300 competitors from atleast 3 states and Canada and there were over 100 divisions!
Well, I ended up competing in Traditional weapons, where I did the Hook Tabak-Patalim, and open weapons division, where I performed to the song "Bodies" by Drowning Pool using my signature, the Tali-Bong. I ended up placing 1st in both. From there I moved on to compete for one of the four spots to compete for Grand Champion. All Black Belts taking first in Forms and Weapons in all divsions competed......and I took Second, respectable, ...but not a spot I like! It lit a fire under me, and I must say, I was very motivated by the prizes. AN I POD TOUCH AND AN ENORMOUS GOLD CUP! So later that night at the nighttime extravaganza everyone in the running for a grand championship performed in an auditorium up on stage. Now, I have been to many tournaments and have never seen this before, and I definitely LOVED it! I performed between two divisions first, then 10 minutes later, I was up to compete! There were about 12 judges sitting in the very front row, hot lights above, and some fierce competition. But I performed like there was no tomorrow because this was my very first time competing as a Black Belt, and this meant the world to me. I gave it everything I had. And I have the battle wounds to prove it! Blisters on my bloody blisters and the ropes on my weapons are bloody too! (Too much information?) Sorry, I'm proud of them. It proves I work hard.
As the Four of us were standing center stage waiting for the announcement of Black Belt Grand Champion, I wasnt really sure who the winner was. I was as nervous as I could possibly be. Every single person I competed against was AWESOME. We were just different. Then Mr. Loveless announced, "And the 2009 Black Belt Grand Champion is...........................MARIAH MOORE!!!!!" I wanted to jump up and down and scream myhead off and my heart out! Still in shock, I was handed my 5 lb. trophy that is a huge Gold Cup on a glossy mahogany base! NO JOKE, ITS AS BIG AS THE STANELY CUP!...then an engraved iPod Touch! (it says :NAIKC 2009 Grand Cahmpion)
This tournament was the next best thing to the World Championships. Very classy.

THANK YOU MR. LOVELESS FOR AN AMAZING DAY AND NIGHT! I CANNOT WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR!

Me and my Gorgeous monstrous amazing Gold NAIKC Stanely Cup!

Weapons Demo

Open Weapons Competition


Blisters on my blisters!

The Big Finish!

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT! 2010 MARIAH MOORE, THE ESKRIMADORA CALENDARS ARE HERE!

My sponsors have come through for me big, AGAIN!

A great big thank you to Lawrence Heibel Photography for providing all of the beautiful and amazing photographs for the calendar.

Another great big thank you to KWON Martial Arts Supply for providing most of the clothing, equipent, and gear I use every day!

AND

Last but definitely not least, NWC PRINT for doing all the artwork, layout, and printing! What an amazing job! Special thanks to Lance Crawford and Aunt Bev Merchant. YOU ROCK! I know you worked hard to get these out in record time for me.

CALENDARS AVAILABLE NOW. THIS IS A LIMITED EDITION AND SUPPLIES ARE LIMITED. 20.00 FREE SHIPPING! All funds will be used to cover the training, travel, and expenses associated with the 2010 World Championships where I will defend my titles in Full Contact Double Stick Fighting and in Traditional Multiple Weapons. Thanks for your support!

You can reply to this post or email me at stickgirrl@gmail.com

NWC Print Livonia Michigan - American Red Cross BLOOD DRIVE! Volunteer! It's a great thing!

What a great day! I spent today with NWC PRINT employees and clients who were holding a very important event- A BLOOD DRIVE with the Amercian Red Cross. We took some fun photos, had a meet and greet, and I performed for everyone. The Red Cross collected the blood, and where there was resistance, I gave them a helping hand! LOL Check out these fun pictures! I had a great time and met some good people. Look forward to the next one!

OF SPECIAL NOTE: I look forward to a great new relationship with the American Red Cross! Today I met Trudy Smith who organized and supervised the big event. As it turns out, The American Red Cross is having a big dedication in Westland this Saturday September the 26th! I am honored to have been invited to make an appearance and do a performance when one of the major car dealerships donates several cars to the Red Cross!

Me with Mark(aka Buddah) Mendoza who planned the event for NWC PRINT

Unsuspecting Victim!

Me with Co-owner Beverly Merchant

Me with Owner and President David Merchant

Me with Aaron, a client of NWC and Blood Donor

Performing with the Talibong(swords on ropes)

Performing with the Hook Sword and Dagger on rope

Trudy Smith (Regional Red Cross Representative) and I

Jamie Merchant and I

WELCOME WOODS! Halloween in September!

Me with The SToRyTeLlEr! Jeff Veley!


Singing Autographs

New Friends!

Welcome Woods Owner- Chuck with Me-


On Labor Day weekend every year, WELCOME WOODS CAMPGROUND in Hastings Michigan celebrates Halloween in July. My Gram Rose and Papa Larry spend most of their summer out there and this is the second year now that they asked me to come out and celebrate with them. I've made some good friends out there and look forward to this event. It's always so much fun and everybody is so friendly and nice. We had a great time and also had a very special guest this year. My storyteller and Emcee, Jeff Veley. He told the amazing tale of the "Beast in the Fields of the Philippines" and the female child of a Grand Master who was born to battle "The Beast". Of course, "SHE" was ME! What a great introduction. Jeff, when I make my big break, I'm takin' you with me! Anyway, the beast was slain with fire and we all lived to tell about it! Chuck, Rose, Larry, PJ, Mom, Dad, and everyone who donated and bought shirts and cards to help me fund my trip to the 2010 World Championships, Thank You, Thank You, Thank you! I raised enough at WELCOME WOODS to pay for my USA uniform for the world championships where I'll defend my titles in July in MEXICO!

Fieldstock! Always a fun time!

In northern Michigan, specifically Onaway, Labor Day means FIELDSTOCK! A great big ole' party in a field in the middle of no-where that goes on for about 3 days straight. I was so happy to be a part of it all again this year! I got to see lots of family and friends and a fun time was had by all! Bands come from all around and everyone is welcome and nobody pays a dime to get in. IT's a FREE FOR ALL! I got to perform a couple times, signed some autographs, hung out and even played with fire-literally! HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL AGAIN NEXT YEAR!