>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

NYSSA — The Grande Ronde Karate and Kung Fu School traveled to Nyssa, Idaho, May 10 for a martial arts tournament.

The school sent three to the competition led by Martial Arts Hall of Fame Inductee Sigung Ken Johnson, a Seventh Degree Black Belt and Grand Master of Kajukenbo. With him, were Sifu Brian Dean, a Fourth Degree Black Belt, Master, and senior instructor and Sihing Slim Thomas; a college student, Green Belt, and assistant instructor.

Sihing Slim dominated his division while earning the  championship title in the Men’s Heavyweight Colored Belt fighting division. In the Under Black Belt Grand Champion Division Sihing Slim showed great control in trying not to use his power advantage and possibly injure his opponent. Unfortunately, this concern cost him the title match to a brown belt by one point.

Sigung Ken went undefeated in the Executive Black Belt Division and also earned the championship title.

Sifu Brian also went undefeated in the Heavyweight Black Belt Division and completed the perfect streak as he also earned the championship title. 

In the Grand Champion matches, where all of the black belt champions from each of the divisions compete, Sigung Johnson shocked his opponent with a long range kick to the opponent’s head.

Sifu Dean dominated his fight with stuttered reverse punches.

Sigung Ken and Sifu Brian both won their matches without having any points scored on them.

The final match would be between Sigung Ken and Sifu Brian. Sigung Johnson believes there is more honor in being the Instructor of the Grand Champion than the Grand Champion. He bowed out and Brian became the Grand Champion of the 2nd Annual Rick Luna KAJUKENBO Martial Arts Tournament.