U.S. Open begins tomorrow, July 3-4, at the Disney Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando, FL

…I salute you!!!

Well, here we are friends!  This is the Final Countdown (another shameless tribute to big music and big hair from the past :)  Tomorrow begins the world’s most prestigious Martial Arts tournament…the 2009 U.S. Open World Martial Arts Championships.  Martial Artists from all over the globe are converging on Orlando as I type (they have been arriving all week) preparing to go head-to-head in everything from Jiu Jitsu, Freestyle fighting, Forms, Weapons, Self Defense, Synchronization, Sparring, Team Demos, XMA Trick Battles, and so much more!

Here’s one thing I know…with all the martial artists in the area this week, Orlando should be the safest big city in America !

Doug and the team getting ready for the U.S. Open

We had some good, light training yesterday with the team, and then Michael and I went back out for a couple of hours to do some more work on our own.  Today is a rest day…mental training day…enjoy the process day.  I just got word that I may be going out in just a bit to help set some things up with my friends over at www.Kickgen.com who will be onsite all weekend doing live stream broadcasts and capturing the entire event on video, and interviewing some of the top athletes.  I’ve got family coming in from out of state and other friend arriving in Central Florida as well for this mothership of tournaments!  This should be a fun day in anticipation of tomorrow’s events kicking off.

I will be posting some results and happenings as I can and am not engaged in competition throughout the weekend, then after it is all said and done, I will post some links to vids and final results and also let you in on what is happening for the future as a result of this training experience.

If you need times and locations of my events, please see my previous post…

I look forward to seeing you there!

P.S. – Please take a moment to thank my sponsors and friends who have supported this effort by visiting their sites, sending them a message…or better yet, get a hold of some of their products and services.  Only the best for you my friend!  Now…let’s rock!

Doug McGannon, Mike Tatum, Michael McGannon

Myself, Mike Tatum, and Michael McGannon (my son and primary training partner) out in the open field training some self-defense over the weekend.  Can you say HOT and MUGGY (the weather, not the pic)!!!

Mike Tatum

Here’s Mike T. (right) striking a pose…um, I mean, traditional stance…   Congrats to Mike for receiving his Black Belt the night before our training on Friday.  He was preeeettty sore whilst undergoing some self-defense maneuvers (hee, hee!).

Doug holding a new uniform from The Bold Look!

There is definitely a lot happening this week as we zero in on some technique-specific training with our kata (forms) and self-defense.  Michael and I will be heading south again on Wed. for some intense training with our Coach, Lauren Kearney, and I think she is going to team us up with some other tournament champs in order to raise our game a bit.  There is certainly nothing like learning from a group of people that are waaaaay above you in this game.  Good times!  I am looking forward to learning more.

We are so close now…to the point where I physically felt the pressure of being less than 3 weeks away today.  It has all come down to this.  I will be prepared, and this will definitely be a “moment” to remember.

Do me a favor and check out my friends and sponsors (link up top and links to the right).  I would appreciate it and I know they would appreciate your support!  There is no way I could do this alone, and to have some great people and companies in my “corner” for this Quest means a lot.

July 3 & 4 people…here we come!!!