The 1997 Blitz Hall of Fame Awards

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1997 was the year for great and significant change within Silvio presenting the the community rtrtcheque to Rose McLeod - it was the year that the Blitz AAfrom the Anti-Cancer Council Hall of Fame dedicated the awards not only to those martial artists who have contributed so greatly to the martial arts, but to the Anti- Cancer Council who have contributed so greatly to the value of life. For the first time in the profits of the Blitz Hall of Fame were donated to the Anti-Cancer Photography byCouncil. Lisa Saad

ith a total of 324 martial arts been so many practitioners in the one room we were treated to the brilliance of magician icons adding great esteem to the dressed to the nines. The night itself was like Duck Cameron. Wgreat establishment that overlooks a Delmonti suit, it looked good, felt good, Duck was a treat. Slow to start but when Melbourneʼs finest park (Albert), The Carlton was good! he got warmed up he set the place alight. Crest came alive as Blitz honoured the Cocktails in the foyer were followed by Magician, illusionist and fire breather, Duck achievements of every martial artist who dancing, as the sweet, sultry sounds of Say did it all and warmed to the crowd, earning attended on the night and those who failed to Yeah filled the hall. Howard Leigh, presenting some hot applause as he left the stage to get make it to the Grand Waldorf Ballroom. again, along with the lovely Jeanette Hall, a glass of milk and put the fire out in his The night began in elegant fashion - a made the introductions, welcomed both the throat. black tie affair that had the cream of the Australian based and international guests. It was now the moment that everyone had crop looking like the cream. Never had there The entrée and dinner was served and then been waiting for. An air of anticipation swept Page 10 Australasian BLITZ MMastersastersThe 1997 Blitz Hall of Fame Awards AArtrt

through the ballroom. Who would take out the kata competitors; Richard Norton, Australiaʼs Kong Wing Loh, Barry Pang and the legend coveted awards and be inducted into the Blitz leading martial arts actor; Fari Salievski whose himself Bob Jones. Hall of Fame? Korean Hapkido Australia Organisation holds These men presented with grace, style and It was difficult to pick a recipient. The between 600 and 700 students nation wide; respect - a true representation of what the nominations were so close, but in the end Sam Greco, the World Full Contact Blitz Martial Arts Hall of Fame Awards stand only one person can be honoured in each of champion and K1 warhorse; our own General for. The awards, as Mark Castagnini pointed the categories. However, all nominees are Manager, Australian cruiserweight out “transcend politics and egos.” They are considered to be winners. champion and all round good guy, Mark designed to bring all martial artists together The list of guest presenters was as Castagnini; John Will, Australiaʼs premier in a friendly, non-competitive environment, impressive as those who had received the grappler and the man who brought Machado where old friendships can be renewed, new awards: Tom Curtis, one of Australiaʼs finest Brazilian Ju Jitsu to Australia; Joe Thambu, friendships made and politics put aside. Martial Arts Magazine Page 11 at the top of the rankings. Ron • Rick Spain Vreeken who recently completed production • Stuart Brooks of his first all-Australian action thriller, Black • Robert Zakreski Ice and who has demonstrated his skill in such • David Mazzochetti films as American Samurai, Rage and Honour • Alfredo Del Brocco 2, Ironfist and Streetfighter with Jean Claude • Gary Martin Van Damme, was a worthy recipient of the • Mike Dodar Actor of the Year award. Sam Greco also received loud cheers when he accepted the Recipient Male Kickboxer of the Year award. Dana Wong The most popular recipient and inductee on the night was by far Bob Jones for the Lifetime Instructor of the Year - Tribute Award. Kyoshi Sama Bob Jones is one of Australiaʼs highest profiled martial artists Nominations and has studied under greats Jack Rozinsky, • Joe Thambu Tino Ceberano and Sal Ebanez. He has been • Graham Morris described by his peers as an “innovator, not • Michi Mori Host and founder of the Blitz Hall of Fame an immitator” and by host Silvio Morelli as “a • Paul Cale Awards, Silvio Morelli learned man... ahead of his time... and one of • Robert Botterill Martial arts is about respect and the respect the nicest guys you could possibly meet.” He • Michael Field shown by all who attended was in the true is a legend and now follows in the footsteps spirit of martial arts history. We believe that of Eddie Emin and Tino Ceberano as lifetime Recipient the Blitz Hall of Fame Awards has become a recipients. Graham Morris part of that history. The Blitz Hall of Fame was again a The martial arts is also about charity. great success and is growing stronger each Instructor of the Year - Ninjutsu Cancer is one of the curses of society. It can year. Congratulations to all martial artists, strike down anyone, anywhere. As Silvio those present and those who have made their Nominations Morelli, publisher of Blitz and founder of the contributions throughout the year, weʼll see • Kazuo Saito Hall of Fame said, “With drugs you have a you next year. • Andrew MacDonald choice but with something like cancer, you The success of the Blitz Hall of Fame • John Ang have no choice it can effect anyone. It is for Awards relies on your nominations. Look • Steven McKeown this reason that the proceeds from the Blitz out next year for a nomination form for the • Michael Tattoli Hall of Fame Awards will be donated to the 1998 awards and nominate your instructor, • Wayne Roy Anti-Cancer Council in the hope that we can an outstanding kickboxer, Australian martial do our part to furthering the research and arts actor, etc. for the 1998 Blitz Hall of Fame Recipient finding more cures for this silent killer.” Awards. Michael Tattoli The Anti-Cancer Council is an organisation Instructor of the Year - Hapkido dedicated to minimising the human cost of Instructor of The Year - cancer for all Victorians and funds biological Kung Fu and clinical research; runs statewide cancer prevention and early detection campaigns; Nominations provides information and support to patients • Jim Fung and families and plays a major role in advising • Dana Wong the government in the development of new • Ian Protheroe initiatives and policy. It is a volunteer-based • Barry Pang charity which raises over $10 million annually • Del Fisher which goes directly to research, education and • Chan Cheuk Fai family support programs. Blitz is honoured to be a part of this organisation and donated the $2690 Hall of Fame profits to the Anti-Cancer Council. Silvio presented the cheque to special efforts co-ordinator Rose McLeod who is looking to continue in a long association with Ninjutsu Instructor of the year, Mike Tattoli the Blitz Hall of Fame awards. There were some highly popular award recipients on the night but none more so Nominations than the martial arts itself. However some of • Fari Salievski the individual honours received some loud • Matthew Kim applause. • Geoff Booth Sharon Anyos was a popular and well • Yung Sup Kim deserved recipient of the Female Kickboxer • Frank Fish of the Year award which confirmed her status • Dave Smith

Page 12 Kung Fu Instructor of the year, Dana Wong Australasian BLITZ Instructor of the Year - Recipient Muay Thai Fari Salievski Instructor of the Year - Tai Chi Nominations • Stefan Fox • Phon Martdee • Joe Hilton • Michael Kenna • Brian Kingwell • Mark Castagnini

Recipient Phon Martdee Instructor of the Year - Taekwondo

Hapkido Instructor of the year, Fari Salievski

Nominations • Allan Harris • Gary Khor • Tang Lai Wei • Jirong Zhang

Recipeint Tang Lai Wei Trainer of the Year - Kickboxing Muay Thai Instructor of the Year, Phon Martdee Nominations • Paul Grima Nominations • Jemal Hassan • Sung Soo Lee • Michael Muleta • Ross Hartnett • Russell Fallon • Young Youl Oh • Yung Ku Yun • Michael Tan • Martin Hall • Michael Bou Daher • Moon Lee • Jack Rozinsky • John Mooney

Joe Thambu presents John Scida with the Kickboxing Trainer of the Year award • Dave Hedgcock • Wayne Spencer • John Chaniotis • John Scida • Dana Goodson • Mick Spinks Recipient John Scida

Martial Arts Magazine Kong Wing Loh presents Martin Hall with his Page 13 award for Taekwondo Instructor of the Year • Peter Walters • Max Fabris • Kurt Klimkait Recipient Recipient • Eddie Emin Sam Greco Martin Hall Full Contact Female Fighter Recipient Instructor of the Year - Freestyle Kurt Klimkait Nominations • Lydia Zakkas Nominations Instructor of the Year - • Maria Gibilisco • Dennis Farrugia Jiu Jitsu • Glenn Coxon • Peter Mylonas Nominations • Frank De Marco • Jan De Jong • Gary McCrae • Chris Haseman • Billy Manne • John Will • Michael Nicholls • Anthony Flask • Sam Gervasi Recipient • Brierley Bailey Michael Nicholls • John Beckman Instructor of the Year - Karate Recipient Nominations John Will • Jim Casey Female Kickboxer of the Year

Nominations • Sharon Anyos Male Kickboxer of the Year, Sam Greco • Laura Skinner • Vanessa Mitchell • Lauren Burns • Debbie Phillips • Vanessa Mills

Recipient Maria Gibilisco Full Contact Male Fighter

Nominations • Judd Reid Freestyle Instructor of the Year, Mick Nicholls • Warren Hanson • Jason Comer • Ian Watts • Wally Schnaubelt • Les Anyos • Simon Kennedy • Ralph Burd Grappling Instructor of the Year, John Will • Michael Basquez • Kong Woh Loh • Frank Russo • James Sumarac • Hollie Ferneley • Richard Bradford • Amanda Buchanan Recipient • Paul Starling Wally Schnaubelt Karate• Brian InstructorHayes of the Year, Kurt Klimkait Recipient Sharon Anyos Male Full Contact Male Kickboxer of the Year Fighter of the Year, Wally Nominations Schnaubelt • Marcus Mangan • Jenk Behic • Amir Shafipour • Sanapar Noi • Adam Watt • Allan Galloway • Michael Kenna • Sam Greco • Ian Jacobs • Stan Longinidis

Page 14 Australasian BLITZ Junior Point Fighter • Nathan Jones of the Year Recipient Nominations Ron Vreeken • Jason Azilla Blitz Hall of Fame • John Feretzanis Lifetime Tribute Award • Shannon Hurley • Vedron Lovric Recipient • Kristen Leong Bob Jones • Carl Sullivan • James Casey Jnr

Recipient Jason Azzilla Junior Forms Competitor of the Year

Nominations • Christen Leong • Jay Moore • Blaise Brtles • John Pham • Pania Casey

Recipient Jay Moore Martial Arts Actor of the Year, Ron Vreeken Adult Forms Competitor of the Year

Nominations • Terry Bradford • Tom Curtis • Tony Carroll • Carmella Hartnett • Chris Rabba • Spiro Sousanis • Helen ArgyropoulosBob Jones receives a standing ovation as he walks to the stage Recipient to receive the Lifetime Tribute Award Chris Rabba Adult Point Fighter of the Year Silvio Morelli Nominations congratulates Bob Jones • Beau Campbell Bob Jones, • Noel McBride recipient of • Des Murphy the prestigious • Aaron Rigano Lifetime Tribute • Spiro Sousanis Award • Glenn Ratcliffe

Recipient Spiro Sousanis Martial Arts Actor of the Year

Nominations • Richard Norton • Joe Sayah • Ron Vreeken

Martial Arts Magazine Page 15