VISIT KWON USA!!!!

Kwon USA, Official Sponsor of Mariah Moore has added a link and very nice write up. Please check it out!

http://www.kwon.com/kwonusa/shop_index.asp

By Master Buzz Smith, Traverse City MI Kuntawguro

Saturday, July 26, 2008

FOLLOW UP - PATHS NOT TAKEN

Enter a young farm girl from southern Michigan. Expose her to Filipino Martial arts, then stand back and watch as she runs with them. This path she has taken ( in a different direction than when she started out) has found her in the seat of the Filipino arts. She is now "IN" the Philippines and has placed well against FMA artists from around the world and from many different instructors.
I am glad that she made the first step to train with Bong Jornales, an old tournament buddy of mine. And being exposed to many different FMA and IMA instructors has given her a number of venues to follow. I am glad that she didn't take the easy path and decided to just follow Karate. She has excelled in FMA- I am proud. Mariah Moore- you have just started, don't be afraid to follow your heart and defend what you belive in. Don't doubt that you are capable of accomplishing anything you set your mind to. This is a good lesson for those of you who just sit back and take it easy. Chances are- if you don't know where you are going- you will NEVER get there.

Paths not taken can leave a big hole in your life and a lot of- " I should have....." when you are wiser.

Well done Mariah
Buzz

Flight of the Valkyrie

Friday, July 25, 2008

Flight of the Valkyrie by Master Bobbe Edmonds, Edmonds Martial Arts Academy

Do Not Tangle With A Tiger, Because You Are Crunchy

And Taste Good With Ketchup

I may have overshot the target in my promotional work for Mariah Moore. I tend to do that…It’s a holdover from my short stint at military school when I was a teenager: I can’t do anything low-key. If it comes from Bobbe Edmonds, it comes with a detonator. And a hell of a lot of C-4.

So I have done what I could for the Moore’s, writing articles for Mariah, shooting and editing the video, working out with her when I can. I’ve done everything I could to get Mariah’s name out to the world.

Well, apparently the word has gotten out: The Filipinos are well aware of her, and not at all amused.

Mariah has spent the last three days competing against some of the best stickfighters in the world, all of them ready to send her home in a cast without a second thought. But she’s doing it in the Philippines, and that brings another truckload of obstacles to deal with: Irritated, well-armed Filipinos. This is the dead-last place on Earth to take a 14 year old girl to compete in anything.

When Mariah’s name was called in Cebu, there was a rush of people to her ring. Everyone had heard of this teenage gringo upstart who thought she could do Eskrima. Of all the places to have a title like “Eskrimadora”, Cebu would be number one on the list of worst places to tout it. Eskrima is to the Filipinos what Baseball is to Americans. It’s what Hockey is to Canada. And Cebu is the central hub for one of the most globally-feared systems of stickfighting in the world today: Doce Pares, the legendary “Twelve Pairs” system of Filipino stick, knife and empty hand combat.

To the Filipinos it was a matter of pride to shut Mariah down early, and they were chomping at the bit to get started. Unfortunately, they were unaware of rule #1: Don’t cross a Valkyrie unless you’re ready to see Valhalla.

Mariah was still suffering a touch of jet lag and sleep loss through most of the first day of competition, and her timing was off. She hammered through her first rounds in single stick fighting, pushing through the eliminations until it was down to her and her teammate…They had fought through the competition only to face each other. In a 2-1 split, teammate Erin Michaelis edged Mariah out for the Gold medal.

One down.

Forms was next, and after getting pummeled for half an hour, this was almost a breeze. Most competitors focus on one, maybe two weapons at most. Mariah brought out six, manipulated the switches between them like she was born doing it and rocked them from one end of the platform to the other. Better, this time: Gold medal, and world champion title in forms.

Two down, last time up to bat.

Double stick fighting is a different animal than single stick. It’s not a beginners game, and proficiency comes with a heavy price: Pain, pain, and more pain.

Mariah has paid her dues, with interest. This is her game, and it doesn’t matter if she’s competing on an active volcano, double stick is the dominion of Mariah Moore. Time to rain down some Hell.

Mariah jumped the line at the start faster than her first opponent expected and tore into her like a pitbull with rabies. The initial round was over so fast, most spectators didn’t have time to get settled in to watch before the ref broke them up. But Mariah was just getting this party started. Two more rounds with Mariah dealing out the harshness and the tally was in: The white girl from America was taking requests for skull drumming, and the line forms up on the right. The crowd began to root for Mariah, and coming to realize something: We don’t call her the Eskrimadora because we couldn’t think of another name.

Second match, this time against an American teammate who beat her once before in double stick. Sorry, perhaps you didn’t get the memo: We came to fight. Again, the match was over in record time. Mariah had apparently decided to get this show on the road, with or without everyone else.

Final round: Team USA versus Team Australia.

The bell sounds and the sticks clash. For a second, it’s a toss up as to who is ahead on strikes. The Australians are GOOD, they are frequent champions of Eskrima tournaments worldwide and feared competitors.

Somebody forgot to tell Mariah. Or she just didn’t care.

Faster than the Aussies could track, and entirely too fast to resemble anything close to fair play, Mariah burned through 3 continuous rounds of double stick combat like a Velociraptor on Espresso. At the final bell, there was no hesitation:

Mariah Moore, at 14 years of age, is a FOUR TIME WORLD CHAMPION.

When you accomplish something this good in America, it’s noteworthy. When you pull the same stunt TWICE in the Philippines, mother country of the martial art you train in…It’s nothing short of phenomenal.

The Filipinos thought so too.

Following her victory over the Australian team, the tournament directors approached Mariah to congratulate her…and to say that they are going to create a "Grand Champion" Division for all first place competitors, because skill like hers should not go, as they put it, "unrewarded and unchallenged." She was mobbed coming off the mat, with people asking for autographs, pictures, and proposals of marriage. The Eskrimadora is now a legend in Cebu, where no other American girls (and damn few Filipinos) make the grade.

Mariah made it back to her hotel room later that night and collapsed from exhaustion, getting some well-deserved rest. And of course, all of us here in America wish her well and hope she is back to 100% tomorrow.

But…There’s a new development.

Between jet lag, bouts of an upset stomach, defending her title of W.E.K.A.F. world champion, catching up on her sleep and hanging out with Steve van Harn & the rest of the American team, Mariah decided to fill in her spare time with some leisurely activities of sightseeing, trying the local cuisine…and fighting again three days later at ANOTHER tournament down the street: The 2^nd Annual Doce Pares World Championships, at the prestigious Doce Pares headquarters in Cebu. The home of the Canete family, founders of Doce Pares and undisputed Grandmasters of close-range stickfighting. This is the proving grounds for Eskrimadors all over the world, and the action is fast, furious and brutal. The rules are different, and the protective gear is minimal.

Mariah fights again this Saturday.

The Valkyrie isn’t finished just yet.

YOU READ IT HERE FIRST!!!

SHE'S GOLDEN!!!!

While we were fast asleep, our girl was hard at work. Her final area of competition was Full Contact Double Stick Fighting, HER FAVORITE. Entering the ring as the defending World Champion, her first match was against her USA Teammate, Erin Michaelis from Colorado. She is ready. Fighting one of the best fights of her career, MARIAH was the undisputed winner! She then went on to take on the Aussies in a battle for first and second. Years of dedication, determination, and sweat....and it all came down to these 3 rounds. Little Sister was at the top of her game! She was ready. Another great fight, and ANOTHER GOLD FOR USA! And Mariah is now a four-time World Champion at just fourteen years old!

Silver and Gold!

Gold in Weapons!
When Mariah's name was called to perform her weapons the crowd erupted and people rushed the stage with anticipation. Word has gotten round about the "Eskrimadora" from America. As she was performing, the crowd was taken with her skill and dedication to this ancient sport and her US Team cheered her on. When she finished, the crowd erupted showing their overwheliming approval. She was the undisputed Gold Medalist.
The icing on the cake: following her weapons performance, tournament directors approached Mariah to congratulate and commend her and to say that they are going to create a "Grand Champion" Division for first place competitors in all divsions because skill like hers should not go "unrewarded and unchallenged." People from countries all around the world approached Mariah for autographs and photos with her. She is so very pleased, and so very tired. 8am -8pm at the tournament venue. Needs much sleep.

Silver in Single Stick Fighting!
A very close battle for Silver and Gold! In the end, edged out by her American teammate Erin Michaelis from Colorado. The Good news, no blood or broken bones this time!

Mariah asked that I tell you she did her very best to make everyone here at home proud and is ready to give the fight of her life on Friday!

On Friday, she will battle in Double Stick.
Some of the Countries participating at the 10th World Championships: Korea, India, Italy, Australia, Germany, Mexico, Canada, Great Britain, France and More! See the You Tube promo:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZF3u6HFKxw&feature=related

Other U.S. Standings: Steve VanHarn-Silver in Forms.
Cole VanHarn-Silver in Single Stick
Wendy Wigger Jornales- Silver in Forms
Matthew Quintero- Gold in Forms

Click image to read text...Chuck, Steve Perry, Bobbe, Ian

SILVER AND GOLD!

Gold in Weapons!
When Mariah's name was called to perform her weapons the crowd erupted and people rushed the stage with anticipation. Word has gotten round about the "Eskrimadora" from America. As she was performing, the crowd was taken with her skill and dedication to this ancient sport and her US Team cheered her on. When she finished, the crowd erupted showing their overwheliming approval. She was the undisputed Gold Medalist.
The icing on the cake: following her weapons performance, tournament directors approached Mariah to congratulate and commend her and to say that they are going to create a "Grand Champion" Division for first place competitors in all divsions because skill like hers should not go "unrewarded and unchallenged." People from countries all around the world approached Mariah for autographs and photos with her. She is so very pleased, and so very tired. 8am -8pm at the tournament venue. Needs much sleep.

Silver in Single Stick Fighting!
A very close battle for Silver and Gold! In the end, edged out by her American teammate Erin Michaelis from Colorado. The Good news, no blood or broken bones this time!

Mariah asked that I tell you she did her very best to make everyone here at home proud and is ready to give the fight of her life on Friday!

On Friday, she will battle in Double Stick.
Some of the Countries participating at the 10th World Championships: Korea, India, Italy, Australia, Germany, Mexico, Canada, Great Britain, France and More! See the You Tube promo:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZF3u6HFKxw&feature=related

Other U.S. Standings: Steve VanHarn-Silver in Forms.
Cole VanHarn-Silver in Single Stick
Wendy Wigger Jornales- Silver in Forms
Matthew Quintero- Gold in Forms.

It's 7:00am...No News Yet.

I was awake all night waiting for them to call but no word yet. The international cell phone they bought does not work so I'll probably hear word when they get back to the hotel. Tournament was to run from 10am to 7pm(7am our time) so it shouldn't be too much longer!

Competition for Mariah starts at 9:00 pm eastern time today! Tuesday!

Photo courtesy of Official Sponsor, Lawrence Heibel Photography

It will be 9:00 a.m. in Cebu and she will compete in Weapons and Single Stick Fighting.

Please send lots of prayers up that she does her very best and has control of her VCD(vocal cord dysfunction) and doesn't have any breathing attacks assoc. with the VCD. They are like severe asthsma attacks. She gets them when she has high anxiety. She has trained very hard and all of her coaches assure me that SHE IS READY!

I will post as soon as I hear from them...should be by 5 or 6 am eastern time!

Don't miss out! Great Knife Auction Closing Soon!

Please check out previous posts on the "The Great Knife Auction." Chuck and Ian worked very hard to make a beautiful blade to help support Mariah in her World Championship endeavor. It is an amazing work of art and it's for a great cause. Check it out and place your bid today! Auction closes July 27th, 11 pm eastern time!

Mariah headed to Cebu!

Mariah is on her way from Bohol to Cebu today for the WEKAF 10th World Championships opening banquet and to get her official "Team USA T-shirt!"

Mariah in Bohol Philippines!

These are called NUT HUTS. They are just feet from the ocean. This is where Mariah stayed last night. How amazing to be able to experience the true culture of the country where her sport originates! These are not photo's she sent, just photos of the area in general. I should hear from her tonight and will post as soon as I do!

Mariah arrives Safely in the Philippines!

Randy and Mariah arrived safely in Manilla around midnight their time, noon in Michigan. They will travel to Cebu in the morning.

I will keep you as up to date as possible...Margie Moore

UPDATE: I just got word from Roberta Vanharn that Steve, Cole, Bong and Wendy Made it safely too.

Great knife Auction!

Highest Bid is now 500.00! Don't Miss out it's a one of kind, just like me.

The Great Knife Auction!

Please forgive me. It's been a while since I've posted, but please understand that with only 1 more day until I leave for the Philippines and the WEKAF 10th World Championships, I am soooo busy! Please keep bidding and keep posting. I appreciate all the bids, the donations, and your words of hope, advice, and good luck. I haven't been able to post as often as I'd like to but it is important for you to know that I appreciate all of my friends and the regulars to my blog!

Finally! I am very very blessed to have the support and encouragement of so many awesome people. Chuck Pippin and Ian Robbins are the best and I hope, because they put so much into this beautiful treasure that will soon be someones new best friend, that you will all carefully consider making a nice bid. This knife is THE BOMB! AND, for the record, one day when I make a million, I'm going to want it back! Thanks Chuck and Ian, I appreciate you trying to help me out and your hard work is not unnoticed!

The highest bid for the great knife auction is up to 500.00. And, theres a twist! Master Bobbe Edmonds of Edmonds Martial Arts academy has added a bonus! Here is what he had to say!

The Quickest way to a man's heart...
..Is directly under the ribcage.

Mariah Moore is defending her title of world stickfighting champion in Cebu soon. She has promised me a gift basket comprised of the asses she intends to kick there. I need all of you to help make my dream a reality!

Mariah needs no introduction, she has been a feature on Thick as Thieves for over a year now. You all know who she is and what she’s about. You have read my articles about her, seen the video. She’s ready to walk it like she talks it, in the birthplace of Kali, Eskrima and Pangamot: The Philippines.

But she’s gonna need a little push to get there. So Tribal Edge Knifeworks have created a one-of-a-kind blade to auction off in support of Mariah’s trip.

I have a few Tribal Edge knives, and I will say this without reservation: The boys do blades the way the Colonel does chicken. They put their heart and soul into their work, and every knife is both a high function blade and a wall-worthy showpiece. The blades are quality work to the core, and you would be hard-pressed to find a knife of equal value and use. I have trained with blade masters all over Southeast Asia, constantly handling various razor-edged weaponry. Nothing is more difficult than getting a custom piece out of Asia for training here in America. I gladly endorse Tribal Edge Knifeworks explicitly, they have gone above and beyond the quality of blade I usually get in Jakarta, or Cebu. Chuck and his group are currently developing some Silat-specific weapons to my specifications as well, you can look for an update on that later next month here.

The custom knife we are auctioning off is called “The Eskrimadora” in Mariah’s honor.

This is a Bowie-style blade, and is an elegant piece for the serious knife trainer, aficionado or collector. The retail value is well over $1,000.00, and has been appraised as a collector's item. The current bid is $350.00.

The blade was hand forged by Ian Robbins from W2 high carbon Tool Steel. It was clay heat treated (like a Japanese Katana) to create a differential temper with a visible hamon line in what we call the Great Lakes Cloud pattern. This gives the knife a soft back, a springy middle and a very hard edge.
After the tempering process, the blade was turned over to Chuck Pippin who hand finished and etched the blade to bring out its full beauty. Chuck gave the blade a matte finish which shows the blade off to its best advantage. Chuck then fit the full profile handle with Amboyna Burl slabs, which comes from the Pterocarpus indicus tree and is one of the most striking of the exotic hardwoods.The slabs are fixed to the handle with three Mosaic pins which were hand made by Ian Robbins. The wood is finished with many coats of a special oil to stabilize it and protect it from moisture.

The blade is hand sharpened to a razor edge.

To finish off and complement the knife a custom sheath was crafted by Chuck, who is our master scabbard maker. The Sheath was first form fitted with oak tanned leather which was then hardened to the blade. Chuck added 2 heavy-duty Neodymium Rare Earth Magnets, implanted between two layers of leather to protect the blade, to provide positive retention without a retaining strap. The sheath was then dyed and given several coats of Carnauba wax as a moisture protectant. When the knife and sheath were finished they were signed (and the signatures etched into the blade) By Mariah, Chuck and Ian.

The winner of this knife will get many years of use out of it, and all Tribal Edge knives come with a lifetime guarantee.

BUT WAIT! THERE’S MORE!

In addition to the knife, Science Fiction author and martial artist Steve Perry has offered a rare autographed set of bound, uncorrected-proof galleys of his Venture Silk duology, Spindoc and The Forever Drug to the winning bidder.

To further sweeten the deal, I am offering a special dual-DVD of my teacher, Bambang Suwanda, performing Pencak Silat Ulin Suliwa and Pencak Silat Cipecut, with entries, locks, takedowns and knife work, as well as some Kembangan. This is produced by me with footage from Indonesia, you cannot get this anywhere else. The winning bid gets the whole ball of wax!

...Ummm, and a knife, two books and a double-DVD set.

The proceeds of this auction go to support Mariah Moore’s participation in the WEKAF World Championships this year in Cebu, Philippines, where she will defend her titles for the American team. Mariah is one member of a small group representing this country in the Philippines, with competitors coming in from Germany, Poland, Australia, Taiwan, and Japan. Mariah is representing US, and needs our support to get there.

To bid on the knife send an email to: stickgirrl@gmail.com

Please include your name, address and a phone number with your bid. Each bid will be verified.

Knife Auction Update

We would have had more info on this sooner, but the last storm knock out power for a few days. 

As of today the highest bid is $350.00

There is also another treat.

Steve Perry, the author, has offered this:

And while I'm at it, whoever sends Mariah an email and gives her the biggest contribution in the next week (stickgirrl(at)gmail(dot)com) gets a set of rare, bound, uncorrected-proof galleys of my Venture Silk duology, Spindoc and The Forever Drug, suitably autographed.

You will notice that there is now a paypal button on the sidebar so that you can donate to Mariah's training and get a piece of Science Fiction History

The Great Knife Auction

Now you can own the Eskrimadora (The knife, not the girl)

Here is a very good way for people to support Mariah's attendance of the WEKAF World Championships this year in Cebu, Philippines, where she will defend her titles for the American team (and perhaps pick up some more).

We are auctioning off a very fine hand forged, custom made knife from Tribal Edge Knifeworks aptly named The Ekrimadora in Mariah's honor, and made expressly for this purpose.

The blade was hand forged by Ian Robbins from W2 high carbon Tool Steel. It was clay heat treated (like a Japanese Katana) to create a differential temper with a visible hamon line in what we call the Great Lakes Cloud pattern. This gives the knife a soft back, a springy middle and a very hard edge.

After the tempering process, the blade was turned over to Chuck Pippin who hand finished and etched the blade to bring out its full beauty. Chuck gave the blade a matte finish which shows the blade off to its best advantage. Chuck then fit the full profile handle with Amboyna Burl slabs, which comes from the Pterocarpus indicus tree and is one of the most striking of the exotic hardwoods.The slabs are fixed to the handle with three Mosaic pins which were hand made by Ian Robbins. The wood is finished with many coats of a special oil to stabilize it and protect it from moisture.

The blade is hand sharpened to a razor edge.

To finish off and complement the knife a custom sheath was crafted by Chuck, who is our master scabbard maker.
 
The Sheath was first form fitted with oak tanned leather which was then hardened to the blade. Chuck added 2 heavy-duty Neodymium Rare Earth Magnets, implanted between two layers of leather to protect the blade, to provide positive retention without a retaining strap. The sheath was then dyed and given several coats of Carnauba wax as a moisture protectant.

 When the knife and sheath were finished they were signed (and the signatures etched into the blade) By Mariah, Chuck and Ian.

This is one of the finest knives our smithy has turned out to date and its retail value is $1200.00

This knife is being offered in a silent auction with a starting bid of a mere $200.00. The auction will be open for fourteen days, with the high bid posted daily.

To bid on the knife send an email to stickgirrl(at)gmail(dot)com
Please include your name, address and a phone number with your bid. each bid will be verified.

Here are pictures of the knife for your enjoyment. (click on them for full size)