Mass Challenge Standings Problems

[LenTesta]

I just recieved this e-mail from Mrs Wing. Her son Matthew was competing in the 10-11 Advanced Boys Point Fighting. My reply follows.


We must make sure that this never happens again.


Hi Len,

First, let me congratulate you on a successful tournament. One parent told me he thought it was very organized. It was very nice for the winners to get their medals right on the spot. I know my son like that part! I was just looking at the standings page on the N.E.J.U.K.C.S website, http://nejukcs.home.attbi.com/nejukcs/index.htm, and I believe there was an error made in the 10-11 Advanced Boys Point Fighting section of the 2nd Tournament. I believe the scoring should be:
Matthew Wing - 1st
Michael Weeks - 2nd
Jonathan Carpenter - 3rd
This would change also change the overall ranking to:
Michael Weeks - 1st
Jonathan Carpenter & Matthew Wing - 2nd
I know that you were the promoter of the 2nd Tournament, and I was hoping that you could tell me who to contact to correct the mistake. Also, can you tell me how the other two boys in the division gained two points in overall rank when they didn't participate in the event?

Thank you for your time and consideration of this matter and I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
Polly Wing

Hello Polly,
Thanks for kind words. I am glad that you enjoyed the tourney. I hope that you will be as enthusiastic with the final event as well.

I appologize for the way the 10-11 advanced boys division was run. The referee who was in charge made a serious error in judgement. and it will be corrected at the next training clinic. We had a similar incident at the Randolph Challenge in the 12-13 Advanced Boys Point Fighting as well. In each case there were only three fighters in each division.

In a three competitor division, the rules state that a by should be awarded to one of the competitors. A by means that the competitor is automatically placed into the second round. The 3 competitors were first asked what dojo they were from. Jonathan and Michael were from the same dojo so they could not fight each other in the first round. A decision was made to see which one would get the by. I do not know how this decision was made. Jonathan Carpenter drew the by which meant that Matthew and Michael were to fight in the first round. Matthew defeated Michael and moved to the second round to face Jonathan. Jonathan defeated Matthew in the second round. The match was over at this point! Joanathan 1st, Matthew 2nd, and Michael 3rd. PERIOD. The referee made a mistake when he brought Michael (who had lost) in to fight again. There is no double elimination in these tournaments except to run off 3rd and 4th place only when you have 4 or more competitors. If you lose your fight you are done.

I am very upset at this happening because we specifically went over this at the last two clinics to make sure it didn't happen again. This was an isolated case. However, we will be re-addressing this at the next clinic and we will make sure that this does not occur again at the Uechi-ryu World Championship in May.

All medals that were awarded may be kept. The competitor who should have recieved a higher medal ( Joanathan Carpenter) will be able to get it if he comes down to my dojo to pick it up.

You are correct about the mistake on the two competitors who were not at the event. They should not have been awarded two points each. This mistake will be corrected.

I appologize for this happening and hope that you and Matthew will continue to support the NEJUKCS.