I would like to thank everyone for your support of the MILLENNIUM BIG APPLE CHALLENGE. With your help,it has truly grown into the biggest international event using WKF rules in North America.The tournament, (coordinated by former USA-NKF national team member, Ilyse Gellar-Sternberg) featured numerous national team members,(John Fonseca, Tommy Hood, Dov Sternberg, Doug Selchin, Barbara Chinen, Elizabeth Irish, Jimmy Esopo, Joe Silbers) was a resounding success.

I would also like to express my thanks to the officials from the local tri-state area and especially to the numerous visiting high caliber referees: Sensei Norma Foster who also did a superb kata course on Saturday, is a member of the WKF Referee Council, Sensei David Crockett WKF Referee and member of the usa-nkf referee council, Sensei Zwonko Celebija WKF and member of the Canadian referee council, Sensei Cleve Baxter WKF referee, Sensei Debenak WKF referee Slovenia, Sensei Soudai WKF judge N.Y.,Sensei Jeddi EKU referee England, Sensei Miladi PKF judge Calif, and Sensei Barksdale PKF judge N.Y.

With 8 mens teams and 6 womens teams the competition was spirited,the competitors excellent and the judging high quality.

Special thanks to Sensei Kagawa of Tokyo (JKA) for his help I am very proud to have so much support from such high class of athletes and senseis alike.

Once again i thank all of you and hope to see you on APRIL 1st,2001.