The American Martial Arts Institute's fourth annual weapons competition was held at the Utica location on Saturday, April 24th, 2010. As a traditional school, the American Martial Arts Institute rarely participates in tournaments and competitions. The weapons competition was started as an opportunity for the students of American Eagle Style to demonstrate their skills while experiencing the unique type of nervousness and pressure that comes with competition.

The overall goal of the event was to promote school comraderie while having fun. The American Martial Arts Institute currently offers nine extension tools for its students: the tonfa, bo, sai, kama, sword, escrima, naginata, half-moon staff, and cane. Training with these tools has a definite benefit for the student's empty-hand skills. They promote strength, power, focus, and mental discipline as the student learns to control an extension of their body in the form of the traditional weapon.

This year's competition was open to all students who were over the age of thirteen, or a blue belt, purple belt, brown belt, or black belt of any age. The divisions were created according only to rank: white belt division, yellow and green belt division, blue and purple belt divison, brown belt division, and black belt division. The weather was sunny and warm. This allowed the competitors to practice their extension tool katas outside prior to the event. The training hall was filled with competitiors, spectators (friends and family), and black belt instructors.

The event was organized and hosted by Chief Instructor Eric Stalloch. Grandmaster Crandall, the head of the American Martial Arts Institute, was present to oversee the day's event and to hand out the awards. The students were judged by two panels of fifth and sixth degree black belt instructors led by Chief Instructor Dr. Chuff and Senior Instructor Mrs. Freleigh. The judges included: Mr. Nathan Morris, Mr. David Phillips, , Mr. Steven Riley, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Santiago, and Mr. Tim Cummings.

Many other black belt instructors also made time to attend the competition and helped with activities such as totalling the judges scores and assisting. These black belts included Mr. T. Stalloch, Mrs. M. Stalloch, Ms. Austin, Mr. Brown, Chief Instructor Moller, Miss Peterson, Mr. Lilley, and others.

Every participant of the competition was recongnized by Grandmaster Crandall and received a certificate of participation for their willingness to challenge themselves in both the training of an extension tool and competing before a panel of judges. It was evident that the students enjoyed themselves and experienced growth in their training.

The students who participated this year included:

Judy Faulkner, David F. Faulkner, Dick Pellegrino, Victoria Cuthbert, Catherine Soults, Madeline Soults, Arthur Ross, Ethan Ross, Trevor Burnside, Justys Williams, Alex Catera, Kyle Mizgala, Ryan Payne, Al Salinero, Dillon Scribner, Timothy Ha, Chathuranga Perera, Susanthri Perera, Clifford Soults, Mackenzie Weber, Jill Craw, Katherine Blocher, Josef Byrne, Briana Faulkner, David H. Faulkner, Abby Salinero, Morgan Weber, William Walker, Loretta Collins, Jim Fryer, and Kyle Tomisman.

The results of the divisions were:

White Belt Division:

1st Place: Judy Faulkner

Yellow-Green Belt Division:

1st Place: Victor D. Pellegrino
2nd Place: David F. Faulkner

Blue-Purple Belt Division:

1st Place: Trevor Burnside
2nd Place: Madeline Soults

Brown Belt Division:

1st Place: Jill Craw
2nd Place: Chathuranga Perera

Black Belt Division:

1st Place: Kyle Tomisman
2nd Place: Morgan Weber

It was a pleasure to see all of the students demonstrating their skill and interest in the extension tools. With the excitement generated by the day's event, students are already looking forward to next year's competition, which will include more divisions than previous years.