IIKA Newsletter Chairman: JC Burris President: Tommy True Board Members: Phil McElroy, Jim McDonald, David Gabbard, Kelly Markham, Carol Burris, Jerry Smith, Mike Lewis, Don Bordinger, Sandra Strong Honorary Board Members: Maurice Msarsa, Bruce Guillaume Subject: Battle of Cumberland Gap Grand Champion Winners Release Date: Friday November 6, 2009 In the first-ever Battle of Cumberland Gap Tournament, held October 3, 2009 in Middlesboro, Kentucky, Jerry Lewis won the tournament Kata Grand Championship and Brandon Baird was the tournament Kumite Grand Champion. The road to the Grands is never an easy one and this tournament was no exception. The Battle of Cumberland Gap was hosted by Mr. Jerry Smith and Mr. Mike Taylor. Although a bit smaller by design, the tournament was open to all styles of martial arts and was well attended. To get through to the final round, both Jerry and Brandon had to not only overcome some very skilled Isshinryu competitors and martial artists from other disciplines who were equally skilled and competitive in spirit. As fate would have it, Jerry and Brandon found themselves facing-off for the Kumite Grand Championship. It was a GREAT fight with Brandon taking home the Championship. Jerry and Brandon have distinguished themselves at many tournaments, IIKA and Open, as two of the IIKA’s premier competitors. In fact, both men recently represented the IIKA in the Grand Divisions of the Isshinryu Fall Classic in Powell, TN, which is Mr. Wheeler’s tournament – Mr. Lewis in Kata and Mr. Baird in Kumite. On behalf of the IIKA, congratulations to two of Isshinryu’s most accomplished competitors. Well done! Sincerely, IIKA Staff