Martial arts fascinate

Youth empowerment and community bonding vibes filled the packed Gymnasium Saturday in the form of the Soulistic Olympics tournament.

More than 2,000 people, including 400 competitors, came from across Northern California, ranging from San Francisco to Sacramento, as well as other states such as Georgia and Florida. One competitor came all the way from Paris, France. Participants ranged in age from 4 to 40 years old.

Directed by James Solis, the event was hosted by the Affiliated Martial Arts Promoters Association (AMAPA), a nonprofit organization established in 1982.

It is one of the oldest and most innovative sport karate leagues in the Bay Area, Solis said.

The 21-year-old Solis has participated in martial arts since he was 5 years old and started competing locally in San Pablo and Richmond at the age of 6. By 11, he was competing nationally and eventually internationally, winning seven martial arts world champion titles.

"In competition, you can only get so far so," Solis said. "Now it is my time to give back, and my way to do that is hosting martial arts tournaments for younger people. And I'm hoping that some of these kids will get to that level of competition."

He came up with the name of the event by combining his last name with "holistic."

"We just want to have that creative power spread positively throughout the day," Solis said. "It doesn't matter how old you are or what level you are. This tournament is open for anybody and everybody."

More than 50 different styles and disciplines were showcased, including Filipino martial arts, jujitsu, kickboxing, Chinese forms and extreme martial arts. A director ran each division.

One of the highlights of the event was the kickboxing, as it was the most popular section of the Soulistic Olympics, with people swarmed around that section of the Gymnasium.

The only sour note of the day came when world-champion Marcel Jones of Atlanta, Ga., injured his knee.

Jones was part of the halftime show that included many martial arts world champions. During the choreographed routine, Jones did a front/back flip and landed with the full weight of his body on his knee. He fell to the ground, and an ambulance was called.

Paramedics determined that Jones had torn a ligament in his knee, and he was taken to Doctors Medical Center in San Pablo.

Scott Whan of Fairfield, however, participated in the 12- to 14-year-old boys division. He is a blue belt, and this was his fourth tournament and second with the Soulistic Olympics. "It is a very positive situation. It gives me a sense of involvement in something," Whan said. "It really helps me focus, gives me determination and it helps a lot of young people."

Anthony Vargo of Stockton participated in the 15-year-old boys division of the international low-kick and said it was well organized.

"I think that it is great that the youngsters get started too and especially early," Vargo said, "because if I would have started earlier, I would be much better than I am now."

In addition to the martial arts displays of the Soulistic Olympics, the event partnered with the city of San Pablo to provide a Community and College Fair to help families and young people find positive and helpful resources.

"The best thing you can get out of it is just community bringing people together," Solis said.

"This event is about recognizing youth and recognizing talent and taking kids to the next level. This is all about young people and all about giving back to the Richmond and San Pablo communities."

Contact Hilberth Ibarra at hibarra.advocate@gmail.com