In an event of this nature, the success lies directly proportional to not only the quality of the organization but also the quality of the officials.  Judges for the North East Open are hand selected. Only the highest ranking, most experienced martial artists are recruited.  Each a Master or school owner and an expert in their discipline.  These top martial artists from throughout the region, all have to sign a contract of commitment to the event, give an oath to unbiased judging based on style or school and participate in a pre-event meeting one month prior to the event. These extraordinary prerequisites ultimately lead to the highest quality of judging and the most well run martial arts competition possible.     

   Each year each division is judged by a panel of different martial artists, representing different style knowledge and background. This diversity helped create a level playing field for the competitors. Because each judge was a master in their field as well as a seasoned martial artist, they had the ability to judge based on technique rather than style.

   This year, we will need approximately fifty dedicated Masters and School Owners, willing to give of their time, and contribute to their martial arts community. Judges will be treated to a catered lunch, be provided with an official judges shirt, and be featured in the event program book as well as the event website. All judges are scheduled ahead of time with specific rings, divisions and break times. Thank you in advanced to anyone willing to help in 2010!

   Kwanjangnim Noguera's Martial Arts resume extends over 35 years. He formally held positions in both the International Combat Hapkido Federation and the Independent Tae Kwon Do Association.

He is a 7th Degree Black Belt Grandmaster Instructor Taekwon-Do; 6th Degree Black Belt Master Instructor Hapkido; World Martial Arts Hall of Fame 1996 Master Instructor of the Year; International Martial Arts Hall of Fame 2000 Master Instructor of the Year

 In 2005 GM Noguera Founded CaRMAA the Capital Region Martial Arts Alliance.

http://www.carmaa.org/
 

   Sensei Melander began training in the Indonesian Art of Pentjak Silat in 1982. He is a tournament veteran locally and on the national karate tour. He has since amassed over 300 trophies, including nearly 50 grand championships in forms & weapons.  Jeff has competed in some of the largest events in the United States, including The Battle of Atlanta, The US Open, and The Diamond Nationals. Jeff teaches karate full-time at the Red Dragon Karate School in Ballston Spa, NY.

   Master Mike Barkowski  is a 4th degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do. His 18 years of training in the Martial Arts includes both WTF and ITF style Tae Kwon Do as well as training in Hapkido, Judo, & various weapons. Master Barkowski has been a highly successful competitor and instructor, and just recently opened a school, Action Sport Martial Arts in Glenville, NY. Master Barkowski has also trained in gymnastics/acrobatics, fight choreography & stunt work for film and television from the Action Film Academy. He has a couple upcoming roles as stunt performer/action actor in the works.

mikebarkowski@yahoo.com
 

   Master Jo-Ann Falanga is a 4th degree master, in Tang Soo Do Jung Shin Kwan She is the 1998 NASKA #1 Women’s All Around Competitor (30-39). She is a member of the United Tang Soo Do Association- (KJN In Kee Hong), and has judging experience on regional and national levels. Master Falanga is the owner of Rhinebeck Karate Academy in Rhinebeck, New York

http://ww.rhinebeckkarate.com

 Jim Posniewski

   A long time student of Jiang Jianye and Lu Yuzhi, Jim has also studied with many famous masters in workshops and seminars including Chen Zhenglei, Li Deyin, and Jou Tsung Hwa. Experienced in many styles and forms of empty hand as well as sword and staff weapons forms, he has been a gold medal winner in group and individual competitions, including Federation Cup Champion of the USA National Tai Chi Chuan Federation in 2002.  Jim is a certified USAWKF national instructor and judge, having completed the 1st National Wushu Instructors and Judges Course taught by Professor Zhu Ruigi of the Beijing Sports University and Professor Liu Tongwei of the Shanghai Sports Institute in 2005. With a long career in engineering and science and advanced degrees from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Union College, Jim brings an objective and logical approach to the internal arts of Taiji and Qigong.

http://www.galwaykarateclub.com/

 Senpai Kyle Lynn Felton

  Senpai Kyle Felton holds a 3^rd dan in USBKA and a 1^st dan in weapons in USBKA.  She has been training since 1995.  She has competed in AAU,  USANKF, and Open tournaments for almost 10 years. She is ASEP certified, an AAU technical coach as well as AAU referee. She currently trains under Hanshi Reid and Kyoshi Jarem.

http://www.galwaykarateclub.com/

http://www.portchesterkarate.com

   Master DeVaull is a 5th Dan in Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan, Haidong Gumdo Master, and the Founder of Chan Wu Yi Dao which combines Chan Buddhism, Martial Arts, and Traditional Chinese Medicine into one complete practice. He is also a Licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist and the Lay Director of Rochester Chan Buddhist Temple.

http://www.centerofharmony.com

 http://www.gftkd.com/

http://www.gemakarate.com

 http://www.martialartsandme.com/