The first class of 2010 and BMA starts our 30th year. Thanks!

The Black Belt test on Friday was a huge success !

Achieving their Black Belt are: Morgan Hadaway, Dr. Trevor Sprabery, Jan Miles, Jerry Dixon, Tammy Dixon, Evan Dixon and Mackenzie McCord.

Ricky Sisco was promoted to 2nd Degree.

Teresa Hicks was promoted to 3rd Degree.

Congratulations to everyone.

Black Belt Meeting

In attendance were as follows: Three 5th Degree, Four 4th Degree, One 3rd Degree, Seven 2nd Degree, Six 1st Degree and Shihan 7th Degree

Sensei Vicki performing Gojushiho Sho at the 2009 USANKF National Championships. Sensei won a silver medal in kata and a gold medal in kumite 55/59 adv. female.  Congratulations to Sensei and the rest of the team. The team results are as follows: Sensei Becky Flinn Silver in 45/49 adv. female kata and bronze in kumite, P. J. Townsend silver in 12 yr. adv. female kata, Heath Orrick silver in adult adv. special kata, Kim Townsend silver in 40/44 female adv. kumite, Stephanie Hardister silver in 35/39 female adv. kumite, Doug Van Riper double gold in 50/55 beg/novice male division. Other team members that gave their best was; Tammy Griffus, Brian Eubanks, Luke Townsend and Lane Ferguson. Shihan Blann attended the event as Coach of the team. (see more pitures in the BMA Snap Shot page) 

Five New Nidans added to BMA

Back row L to R: P.J. Townsend, Emily Carballo and Kim Townsend. Front row L to R: Shawn Stone and Jonathan Moore.  Congratulations !!!

Two New Black Belts......Congratulations!!!!!!!!!

Lance Millione and Elizabeth Marquez where promoted to Shodan Friday July 10 to become #281 and #282 at BMA.

Congratulations to Ms Marsha Wallace who earned her 1st Degree Black Belt on May 13. She is BMA's 280th Black Belt. Ms. Marsha is shown here with Shihan Jimmy Blann and Sensei Vicki Blann.

Congratulations to the following students on their promotion to Black Belt, Friday April 10:  Houston Nelson, Jonathan Miles, Stepanie Hardister, Chuck and Andrew Jolley and Christopher Wimberly.

Congratulations to Brian Eubanks, on his promotion to 3rd Degree Black Belt !!!!!

Congratulations to Sensei Becky Flinn on her promotion to 4th Degree. Sensei Becky is shown here with Sensei Vicki and Shihan Blann after her test December 23rd.

Thanks for the gifts and attending our annual Christmas Party.... I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year......

The Black Belt photo shoot has been postponed. I will set another date after the first of the year.

Sensei Darrell Goodyear and his student Brian Oliver visited the dojo while staying with Shihan during the hurricane evacuation from New Orleans last month.

Belt test will be on Friday September 5, 2008. Check with Sensei Vicki for your scheduled time.

Results from the USANKF Nationals in Houston, TX  (see Snap shots)

Blann’s Martial Arts National team returned from Houston, TX Monday with 17 medals. Medals winners are as follows: Dr. Clay Morton of Hernando: gold men’s mandatory forms, Tammy Griffus of Byhalia gold team sparring and bronze +60 female sparring, Vicki Blann of Southaven silver medal in 50-54 female forms, Becky Flinn of Hernando silver 45-49 female kata and bronze in sparring, Lisa Wimberly of Southaven silver in 45-49 sparring, Peyton Lewis of Tupelo; silver team sparring and bronze in 14 advance sparring, Heath Orrick of Southaven gold in special division, Jordan Moore of Hernando gold 10 yr. old beginner girls sparring, Matthew Wimberly silver team sparring, Pamela Jean Townsend of Lula won silver in 11 year old advance forms, Marina Wilson of Walls won bronze in 8 year old beginner sparring, Kaitlyn Davis of Southaven won bronze in 10 beginner sparring, Kim Townsend of Lula won bronze in 40-44 female advance sparring, and Lane Ferguson of Memphis on bronze in 15 year old novice sparring.

Others competing at the Nationals are as follows: From Hernando; Jonathan Moore, Emily Carballo, Luke Townsend of Lula, from Southaven; Shawn Stone and Hunter McItyre, from Memphis Daniel Pfeffer and Stephanie Hardister and Kaelie Wilson of Walls.

National team ready to go......the team leaves on Wednesday for Houston, TX to compete in the USANKF Nationals and USA team trials.

Back row L to R: Daniel Pfeffer, Kim Townsend, Emily Carballo, Sensei Becky Flinn, Tammy Griffus, Matthew Wimberly, Heath Orrick.

Second row L to R: Sensei Vicki Blann, Hunter McIntyre, Peyton Lewis, Lisa Wimberly, Kaitlyn Davis, P.J. Townsend, Jordan Moore, Shihan Blann.

Front row L to R: Luke Townsend, Shawn Stone, Jonathan Moore, Jonathan Miles, Kaelie and Marina Wilson.

Not pictured: Dr. Clay Morton, Stehanie Hardister and Lane Ferguson.

Congratulations to Patty James. Patty was promoted to 2nd Degree Black Belt on Tuesday, July 1. Patty has been training with BMA for ten years.

Having a good year......

Shawn Stone of Southaven has been training and competing since the age of 5. This year in the 10-11 year old division he has had a stellar year as he prepares for the National Championships (July 18-20th). Shawn has competed in four tournaments and has gone undefeated in sparring (12-0) and four Gold Medals. Shawn is usually four to six inches smaller than any of his opponents which makes his accomplishment even more impressive. He has also had a good year in kata with three gold and one sliver medal.

Shawn is also very good in football, where he earned a "Best Linebacker" at a resent football camp in Nashville.

Congratulations to Bryan Hudson. Bryan earned his 1st Degree Black Belt on June 6, 2008. He is the first student at BMA to go from white belt to black belt through the private lesson program. He is BMA's number 268th Black Belt.

Shihan Blann and Sensei Vicki awarded the three new Eagle Scouts with a plaque to commemorate their accomplishment From left to right: Matthew Wimberly, Read Sprabery and Joey Ferris. Congratulations !

On June 10, 2008, Mary Dickinson was promoted to 5th Degree Black Belt with her promotion it makes her BMA's seventh 5th Degree Black Belt. Mary has been training with BMA since 1989. Congratulations !!