Within the new rules for the US Open, a Black belt competitor must overcome the Elite 8 division.  This change in the competition structure has people talking. Some may call it bringing back good things from the old days, for us new comers it is a welcome change to the current seeding policy of NASKA.  These changes provide new opportunities to non-seeded competitors.

As a non seeded competitor you have the opportunity to compete against NASKA seeded competitors. You will have your own division where you will compete with no seeds. The competitors that finish in the top 4 will then be invited to compete against the NASKA top 4 seeds. At the US Open , the final 8 competitors will be called the Elite 8 .  The winner from the Elite 8 advances to the Grand Championships or runoffs.

This year Championship Karate Highlands Ranch, brought it's local team to the US OPEN .  Our Under belts, Trey Boeynik, Dana Miller, and Ryker Weaver brought home First and Second place World titles.  Our Black belts, Matthew Apodaca and Joshua Durbin made it to all Elite 8 divisions.  Joshua Durbin earned a 3rd and 4th place. 

The youngest of our Black belts, Tyler Weaver Jr., who is 10 years old, is new to the NASKA circuit.  In 2005, he attend the Chat Camp where he was spotted my Mike Chat, who starred as the Blue Power Ranger , Discovery Channel's Extreme Martial Art's Show and too many other movie spots to mention.  Tyler Weaver Jr. was given a special one of a kind  autographed award from Shark Boy the movie star from Shark Boy and Lava Girl.   

Tyler Weaver Jr & Mike Chat

Tyler received his Black belt in August 2005 and started competing the NASKA Black belt circuit in February at the Compete Nationals in Pomona , California .  He then traveled to VA's World Series of Martial Arts, to RI's Ocean State Grand Nationals, Canada 's Quebec City Open, MA's New England Open, KY's  Bluegrass Nationals, and finally the infamous US Open at the Walt Disney's  Coronado . It was in Canada 's Quebec City Open where Tyler won his first Black belt division.  From there he climbed the ranks, and earned another chance to advance in the grand championships at the New England open.  For the last six months Tyler quickly became the "New Kid" on the block and earned a seeding position in 4 of the 5 divisions he competes in.  All from Traditional forms, to Musical and Extreme forms and weapons.  While not at #1 seed yet, only a few points away, he still holds a top 4 seed in this World Circuit event! 

As the "New Kid" on the block, going into the US Open was exciting.  Tyler placed First in two of the Elite 8 Divisions,  10-11 Boys Black Belt Traditional Forms and 11-under Musical Extreme Forms.  He then advanced to the Daytime Grand Championships, And Won both grand championship and runoff divisions!  He was discovered here by the directors of the ESPN and was "invited" to competed for the  ISKA World Championships on the prestigious US Open Night of Champions!  

With all the sparks and excitement flying through the air, the crowds awaited for US Open Night of Champions to begin! Tyler competed for the 13 and under Overall ISKA World Championships against four of the World's Best.  He miraculously won!  With tears in his eyes, knowing that he came in as a wildcard,  Tyler has marked his place in Martial Arts history.  Tyler is one of the youngest black belts to ever win a ISKA World Championship Title . His story is the Cinderella Story of Karate .  Never in the history of Naska, has a child won this prestigious award after only six months of competing the circuit.

To add to this heartwarming story, Tyler 's obstacles haven't been easy.  Suffering from Kawasaki Disease  as a baby has left him with some growth difficulties for his size, vision and severe case of sports asthma.  Also, as the son of the Head Instructor, Tyler Weaver Sr. Former World Champion Title holder he was viewed by everyone with some tough shoes to fill.  Tyler trains at Championship Karate every day and often skips his lunch period and recess at school to practice. He also travels to Los Angeles  and Chicago to train more. 
Tyler has performed all over Colorado including Six Flags and the Denver Nuggets.  He has also performed along with his brother Ryker, for Hot Wheels Show in Los Angeles and San Francisco , choreographed by Matthew Mullins of Sideswipe.  Sideswipe is featured on this NBC season's America 's Got Talent.  For more information on Tyler Weaver's Story, contact us at (303) 791-2095 or you can visit our website at www.championshipkarate.biz