January News

Hello everyone,

Here at KICKgen, we have some news: comings, goings and new tournaments on our schedule

First of all for those of you who met Bethany Mott, she had decided to leave KICKgen for a job in Virginia. This is really great for her because her family wanted to move there. So far she is working hard and enjoying the change in climate. We will miss her but she is very happy.

But KICKgen was blessed with a new team member whose skills are a real asset in digital media. If you haven’t met Emily Davidson, she is here and can be reached at 1-866-660-4707 x 702 or emily@kickgen.com . Emily and I will be your team for customer service.

Also, in addition to KICKgen LIVE as a support venue for competitive karate, we added circuit marketing to our list of products and have added the following circuits and tournaments: KICK USA, Black Belts for Christ, The Southeast Tour, The Lonestar Open, Gator Nationals, The Capitol Classics – Chinese Open, Dixieland Nationals, and The US Open World Championships.

Yes, you’re going to see KICKgen all over the place this year. We’re attending as many tournaments as we can and will be there to photograph and film you! Please come up and say hi when you see us!!

KICKgen LIVE also plans on being at a lot of tournaments this year. So far these are the tournaments we’re lined up to cover:

Lonestar Open: January 29th- 30th
Gator Nationals: May 14th – 15th
US Open World Championships: July 9th – 10th
US Capitol Classics & Chinese Open: July 30th –Aug 1
Dixieland Nationals: August 13th – 14th

Why aren’t more tournaments LIVE streamed by KICKgen?
Do you enjoy watching KICKgen LIVE? Be sure to mention this to all the promoters you run into this year. Ask them why their tournament isn’t LIVE streamed by KICKgen?

Don't Miss the Next Airing on ESPN2

Don't Miss the Next Airing on ESPN2

Don’t miss the 2009 US Open on ESPN2
January 8th 9:00pm – 10:00pm EST
Make your plans to attend this year July 8-10, 2010.
Stay tuned for more updates with all of the new and exciting additions for
this year.
Go to www.usopen-karate.com for more information

Irish Open, March 5-7, 2010
Once again the Irish Open and US Open are partnering to bring you the best
Sport Karate has to offer. As the largest event in Europe the Irish Open
brings the best fighters from around the world.
Go to http://www.irishopenonline.com/ to register today.
New for 2010
* new full contact divisions
* new forms divisions for adults and youth
* additional weight divisions in semi and light contact
* beautiful 4 star hotel
* new convention center only 50 meters from the hotel
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New ESPN Dates:

2010 Airtimes
* Friday, January 8th both shows 9-10pm ET (leading into Friday Night
Fights)

* Saturday, February 13th - both shows - 12-1am ET (coming out of Friday
Night Fights)

* Friday, July 23rd 9-10pm ET (both 30 minute shows) leading into Friday
Night Fights

* Thursday, August 19th 11:00-11:30 pm ET (both 30-minute shows) coming out of
live tennis

* Sunday, August 22nd 1-2am ET (both 30-minute shows) leading into a short
turnaround NASCAR race at 3am[2]
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WHOA...this is cool!! Open auditions for martial arts reality show at the
Lonestar Open!

IRON DRAGON PRODUCTIONS AND INNOVATIVE-RENDERWORX is in Development for a
New Reality Show - "The Next Dragon"- Have you got what it takes to be "The
Next Dragon" and The Next Dragon Radio Show

The first round of Auditions in the US, January 29th-30th at the Lone Star
Open (www.lonestaropen.com) The event will be held at the Renaissance
Hotel in Austin,Texas!


Have you made your plans to attend Lonestar yet?

Today marks the funeral of martial arts pioneer, Ridgely Abele.

Last week the martial arts world lost a true pioneer in our sport. Hanshi Ridgely Abele battled cancer and at the age of 59 passed away. This was a man who experienced all aspects of martial arts: training, competing, teaching, authoring, but most of all leading. He began his career under Hanshi John Pachivas and become a chief instructor of Shuri-ryu Karate-Do worldwide. His accolades are many and he will be missed by thousands.

KICKgen extends our thoughts and sympathy for the family, friends and students of Ridgely Abele.

To read more about the life of Ridgely...

Ridgely Abele is survived by his wife of 18 years, Sally, his daughter and son, Sasha Katz and Jordan Abele; sister, Jan Konesey and brothers, Lawrence, Paul and Edward Abele and two grandchildren, Quinn and Leila.

Funeral services were held at the Church of the Harvest, 4865 Sunset Blvd., Lexington, SC 29072 on Friday, December 18 at 2 p.m.

Memorials may be made to Ridgely’s favorite charity, The Women’s Shelter, 3425 N. Main St., Columbia, SC 29203, www.womenshelter.org.

To sign the online guest book and show your respects to Ridgely and his family:
http://www.thompsonsfuneral.com/FuneralHome/Default.asp

Pre-registration savings at Lonestar Open

Register Now for over 20% savings

Lonestar Open, held in beautiful Austin Texas is coming up soon – January 29th and 30th. The Lonestar boasts great tournament quality with the highest national talent in attendance in addition to a gorgeous venue in a perfect family vacation city. What you won’t find at Lonestar is poor sportsmanship and bruisers. What you will find here is a professionally run tournament where respect and courtesy are the mode of operation with a nice flare of Southern hospitality.
In order to save you money, the Lonestar tournament has devised pre registration discounts – but hurry they expire soon.

Early registration expires December 19th. You will SAVE over 20% by registering before the 19th.

2nd early registration pricing deadline is January 16th. You will SAVE over 5%.

REGISTER HERE

And more savings…

Encounter an Austin hotel unlike any other and discover the distinct style and diverse personality of the Lone Star State at the Renaissance hotel in Northwest Austin. This hotel is the venue for the tournament and overnight accommodation making attending this tournament easy.

The discounted tournament room rate is $129 per night. That is a savings of $70 per night. When contacting the hotel to receive your tournament discount, ask for the karate 3A tournament rate. The cutoff date for this discount expires on January 8th and the regular room rate of $199 will apply. Hurry and book your room soon to receive this discount before the room block fills up.
Renaissance Austin Hotel. 1-800-468-3571 (Ask for the karate 3A rate)

2010 Rising Stars Calendar Winners!!

Sneak Peek of the back cover

Congratulations to all of the members who entered into the 2010 Rising Stars Calendar Contest!! You're all superstars and almost every picture is in the calendar! Not every person can be featured this year, but we really tried to honor you all. After much voting and deliberating, we're pleased to announce the following 12 as our 2010 featured winners:

January, representing courage – Sarah Greer

February, representing Determination - Aden Schwartz

March, representing Challenge - Lady Jade Miles

April, representing Teamwork - Team Paul Mitchell

May, representing Character - Robert Torres

June, representing Passion - Audrie Donihoo

July, representing Perseverance- Sam Wigley

August, representing Discipline - Yu-Chi-Tseng

September, representing Determination - Carlos Gonzales

October, representing Confidence - Kyle Montagna

November, representing Leadership - Patrick Shepherd

December, representing Achievement - Mia Kimling

Thank you to our presenting sponsors: Fighters Inc. and Tiger Claw!!!
To buy the calendar click here

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Continuous coverage of the WKA from Spain running now on KICKgen.com



Wish you there in Spain? Now you can be - go to www.kickgen.com for full coverage throughout the entire WKA event. New videos from the WKA event in Spain added daily.

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