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Young Fighters Step Into The Ring

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By STEPHEN HAMMILL The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 7, 2008

TOWN 'N COUNTRY - About 150 fighters and spectators crammed into a corner of Tampa Bay Health and Fitness last week for a kids' kickboxing tournament.

Part of the Tampa Bay Jr. Kick Boxing League's Friday Night Fights series, the event featured Golden Gloves-style sparring contests for students ages 7 to 17.

It was a record crowd for the series, according to Ed Dominguez, owner of American Dragon Dojo at 4327 Gunn Highway.

The dojo, along with Joe Lewis Fighting Systems and the Mike Allen American Karate System, sponsored the event.

"It's been a great turnout for younger kids, which is excellent," Dominguez said. "The purpose of this league is to try to get them into it more."

Dominguez said most martial-arts tournaments in the area gear themselves toward adults.

Unlike stop-and-start martial arts competitions, kickboxing, with its three, two-minute rounds per match, gets opponents in the ring in longer one-on-one bouts.

The young fighters wore head gear, boxing gloves and chest protectors and were matched up by weight.

In the first fight of the night, the two youngest competitors, Christian Suarez, 7, and Kasey Biller, 9, squared off in what was their first tournament.

Kasey's father, Michael, shouted encouragement from the red corner. "You've got it, Kasey, now don't hurt him!"

Kasey won the three-round bout by unanimous decision.

"She was very excited," her father said. "They both are. They've really been looking forward to it."

Biller, daughter Kasey and son Jake train at the American Dragon Dojo
Christian Suarez began taking kickboxing classes with his sister Alexandria, 9, five months ago. Before that, they took gymnastics.

"They're in pretty good shape but needed something that's a little more of a challenge," said Allison Suarez, their mother. "Also, it's not three hours a night like a lot of sports are."

"The sport gives you perspective and determination," said fighter Christian Dominguez, 14, of Lutz. "You have to train yourself to keep up with it."

Fifteen students from American Dragon Dojo competed in the event. In all, five dojos were represented.

Allen Goldberg signed his son Israel, 8, up at American Dragon Dojo last year, "to try to build a little bit of confidence," he said.

This was the Cannella Elementary student's second fight.

"Keep doing what you're doing, Israel," said his sensei, Ed Dominguez, between rounds. "Go to the body a little bit more."

The tournament promotes the Joe Lewis fighting system, developed by the former heavyweight champion kickboxer and originator of the sport.

Johann Fortino, said she can see the difference in her grandson, Essrig Elementary student Jonathan, 11, since he started taking kickboxing.

"He carries himself very well," she said. "He doesn't let anybody bully him."

The third and final Friday Night Fights tournament for 2008 will take place Aug. 29.

For information, call (813) 249-2235 or visit www .americandragondojo.com.

Reporter Stephen Hammill can be reached at (813) 865-1523 or at shammill@tampatrib.com.

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