Last weekend Southern California hosted Lightspeed Saber Academy’s Inaugural Tournament. This was hosted at our new Academy location in Westminster, California, where it will be holding Lightspeed Saber classes starting later this month.

From the outset, it was known this would be a highly ranked tournament. Rob Chan, hailing from Knight Club in Irvine, entered as the defending champion and faced an impressive challenge from Tony Zaldua Jr. Chan, rated A, showcased his prowess in the ring, defending his title with determination and skill.

Jose Ortiz-Miranda, representing Krait Base in Los Angeles, with a B rating, sought to elevate his standing to an A, displaying a hunger for advancement in the rankings. Similarly, William Alonzo, also from Krait Base, aimed to ascend to a B rating, showcasing his grit and determination in the pursuit of this goal.

Phoebe Camilletti, a recent addition from Knight Club in Irvine, made a noteworthy debut at the C level. Joining her from the same club were John Mullins, Cang Snow, and the talented newcomer Chrysie Park, each displaying their skills and determination in the ring.

Preston Pomeroy from Knight Club, rated U, showed a strong resolve to earn his first grade, exhibiting determination in his debut tournament appearance. Jamar Turner-Johnson made a return to the competition arena after a hiatus, aiming to make his mark once again.

Additionally, several fighters from Knight Club in Irvine—Walter Simbol, Jacob Areias, Shayan Daroudi, Josh Isom, and Ronan Relosa—brought their unique skills to the tournament, each with their own ambitions and goals. Patricia Bauler, aiming to reclaim her D rating, and Dinah Kolasa, focused on maintaining her grade, both showcased their determination and skill in the ring.

WOMEN

The women’s event held just three competitors: Patricia Bauler and Phoebe Camilletti of the Irvine Knights, and Lightspeed’s Executive Assistant Dinah Kolasa. With only three competitors, the pools matches passed quickly. But the same could not be said of the brackets which went to 16 points each. The first match was between Bauler and Kolasa. It was an extremely close match that saw Kolasa just barely pull ahead at the end with a final score of 16-14. Then, Camilletti’s turn. Her match with Kolasa was not close and Kolasa was not able to get the upper hand. The match ended 16-6 in Camilletti’s favor, winning her gold, Kolasa silver, and Bauler bronze.

OPEN POOLS

Next was the Open event, which was run differently from standard Lightspeed Saber tournaments. The pools held all of the event’s competitors, but when it came time for brackets, the top 50%would go on to an advanced bracket while the lower seeded fencers would move onto a bracket of their own.

Rob Chan dominated his pool, securing victories in all his matches with an impressive total of 35 points. His stellar performance echoed his determination to defend his title.

Chrysie Park emerged as a formidable force, showcasing flair and skill with flourishes while scoring numerous defenses. Her standout moment came in defeating the esteemed Cang Snow, handing him his sole loss in the pools, accumulating 23 points from 2 victorious matches.

Jose Ortiz Miranda displayed his notorious hooking attacks to great effect, earning him 22 points with 2 wins. However, in a match that went down to the wire, he graciously yielded to Patricia Bauler in the final second, highlighting sportsmanship and respect in the arena.

Jamar Turner-Johnson's characteristic high speed, agility, and intensity led him to secure 2 wins with a total of 28 points, showcasing his determination to make a mark in the competition.

Notably, Walter Simbol exhibited his distinctive Kali style, accumulating 24 points from 2 victories. Additionally, Tony Zaldua Jr. and Patricia Bauler showcased their prowess, each securing 3 wins with 25 points, demonstrating their consistency in the pool matches.

While some competitors, like Jacob Areias and Shayan Doroudi, faced tough challenges and didn't secure wins, their perseverance and experimentation with diverse techniques added depth to the competitive spirit of the tournament.

As the Open Pool section concluded, the intensity heightened, setting the stage for the single elimination phase where each competitor aimed to leverage their strengths and strategies for advancement in the tournament.

DIVISION I

In the Round of 8, the defending champion, Rob Chan, faced off against Walter Simbol in a captivating match. Despite Simbol's characteristic Kali style, Chan emerged victorious, securing his place in the next round with a compelling performance.

Then, a grudge match between long-time rivals John Mullins and Jose Ortiz-Miranda. Both fencers, with a focus on sniping attacks, brought intensity to the bout. Ortiz-Miranda's strategic use of hook-traps proved effective, earning him a hard-fought victory with a final score of 16-20.

Cang Snow showcased his skills against Patricia Bauler in another Round of 8 encounter. Snow's prowess prevailed, securing a decisive win with a final score of 20-11.

In a clash of speed and agility, Jamar Turner-Johnson faced Tony Zaldua Jr. Jamar's powerful offense and Tony's strategic exploitation of gaps created an enthralling match. Although Jamar displayed remarkable agility, Tony's precision ultimately led to a 21-18 victory.

Moving into the Semifinals, Rob Chan continued his dominant run, facing off against Jose Ortiz-Miranda. In a one-sided affair, Chan emerged victorious with an impressive final score of 21-1, reaffirming his status as a formidable competitor. The second Semifinal saw Cang Snow against Tony Zaldua Jr. Zaldua's ability to evade Snow's counterattacks proved crucial, securing him a hard-fought victory with a final score of 17-21.

In the climactic final match for the Lightspeed Saber Academy Inaugural Tournament's Advanced Bracket, the stage was set for a thrilling battle between Tony Zaldua Jr. and the reigning champion, Rob Chan, vying for the coveted gold medal. The 1st period unfolded with both competitors rising evenly in points, creating an intense back-and-forth exchange. However, Zaldua seized control in the latter part of the period, catching Chan off guard and securing a significant lead. Zaldua's strategic maneuvers, in at least one instance, stole an unchallenged two points from Chan, ultimately winning the round with a score of 11-6.

As the 2nd period commenced, Zaldua maintained his lead, showcasing his adept timing while Chan struggled to close the gap. In a crucial exchange, Zaldua earned priority, setting the stage for a pivotal moment. In the ensuing encounter, Zaldua scored a priority hit, further extending his lead by another 2 points. With a final score of 20-13, Tony Zaldua Jr emerged victorious, claiming the gold medal and securing his place as the champion of the Lightspeed Saber Academy Inaugural Tournament's Advanced Bracket. The final match provided a spectacular display of skill, strategy, and determination, leaving an indelible mark on the tournament and solidifying Zaldua's status as a formidable force in Lightspeed Saber fencing.

DIVISION II

After the Advanced bracket concluded, it was time to move on to Div II, which opened with Shayan Doroudi, who secured his first career win while fencing against Ronan Relosa. Shayan's potent offense prevailed over Relosa's defense-focused strategy, resulting in a victory with a final score of 16-6.

Moving into the Round of 8, Chrysie Park faced off against Shayan Doroudi. Despite Doroudi's commendable efforts, Park, with more experience, superior agility, and blade skills, emerged victorious with a final score of 17-7. Next was Phoebe Camilletti and Dinah Kolasa. Part way through the match Camilletti had to switch from her Ren to a borrowed Rey Saber but, despite this challenge, Camilletti dominated the match, securing a win with a final score of 17-9.

William Alonzo clashed with Preston Pomeroy in a Round of 8 battle. In a skillful display, Alonzo emerged triumphant with a final score of 17-12. Jacob Areias faced off against the faster but less experienced Josh Isom in another Round of 8 encounter. Areias utilized his height and timing to secure a narrow victory, winning the match with a final score of 16-15.

Advancing to the Semifinals, Chrysie Park battled Phoebe Camilletti in a match that showcased Park's skills. Park secured the win with a final score of 17-11, earning a place in the finals. In the second Semifinal, William Alonzo faced Jacob Areias. Alonzo's proficiency shone through as he dominated the match, securing victory with a commanding final score of 17-3.

Moving onto the Finals was Chrysie Park and William Alonzo, both vying for the prestigious gold medal. In an impressive display, William Alonzo showcased his seasoned expertise, securing victory in the 1st Period with a score that underscored his proficiency. And as the 2nd period commenced, Alonzo continued to demonstrate his superior experience against the newer contender, Park. Despite Park's commendable efforts, Alonzo's strategic finesse and skillful execution propelled him to victory, ultimately winning the match with a commanding score of 4-16.

Thank you to everyone who showed up the this tournament and helping us to celebrate this exciting new stage for the League. We look forward to seeing everyone at the New Year’s Eve Eve tournament on December 30th.

ZALDUA CROWNED KING OF LIGHTSPEED SABER ACADEMY'S INAUGURAL TOURNAMENT

DIV I RESULTS

WINNER

PROMOTIONS & RE-GRADES

DIV II RESULTS

WINNER

PROMOTIONS & RE-GRADES

WOMEN’S RESULTS

WINNER

WOMEN

OPEN POOLS

DIVISION I

DIVISION II

DINAH KOLASA