DEMAA team have eyes on world stage
Date published: 15 March 2011
GOING FOR GOLD . . . Instructor Dave Terry (left) is pictured with the 15 DEMAA students heading to the WOMAA Games in Cardiff.
MARTIAL ARTS: MEMBERS of the Oldham-based Domana Elica Martial Arts Academy have been selected to compete at the the World Organisation of Martial Arts Athletes (WOMAA) Games.
The group of 15 talented individuals are heading to tournament, which is staged from August 19-21 at the University of Wales, Cardiff.
Trials were held in Sheffield and Rotherham and the final selection of seven to 20-year-olds are set to showcase their abilities.
The international event is attended by some of the world’s finest up-and-coming martial artists, all of whom display various types of expertise.
The head of the DEMAA, Dave Terry said: “This year we are taking a larger team to the event so we hope to make an improvement on last year’s achievements.
“We came away with lots golds and silvers, but I think this year we can do even better.”
Among the medallists in 2010 were Terry’s own children, Bobby and Anabel, who struck gold in their individual events.
Alex Walker, from Shaw, who made his mark last year by earning his 1st Dan blackbelt in kick-boxing was selected for the event, but is unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts.
Other names to watch out for are Thomas Lane, who also won gold at last year’s event and Damien Highland. Highland plans to make an impact in the WOMMA’s first ever mixed martial arts cage-fighting event.
It is a sport that has found itself on the rise in terms of interest and popularity due to the large-scale promotion of the Ultimate Fight Championship and the first time it has been given centre-stage in the 12-year history of the event.
Other disciplines exhibited will include kick-boxing, grappling, kata, self-defence and formations.
On the event, Terry said: “It will be internationally attended with competitors from the US, Mexico, Italy, Wales, Ireland and possibly Russia.
“There is usually a decent-sized crowd. It’s friendly and has a good atmosphere.”
