Prize Playing in Magnolia,Tx

[John_Clements]

I am pleased to announced than on Saturday, September 4th, 2004, Gene Tausk successfully played his Senior Free Scholar Prize for Longsword in Magnolia, TX. In the 90+ degree sun, for over 1 hour Gene bouted against 13 of his fellow students helmeted and unhelmeted for a total of 89 encounters with wasters, padded contact weapons, and steel blunts. Gene won 69% of his bouts facing longswords, greatswords, short sword & buckler, arming sword & dagger, short sword & shield, spear, and two-handed sword. Gene played with determination, focus, and stamina against opponents of a variety of experience levels.

A big thanks to everyone who traveled to participate and test their fellow student’s skill. A special thanks also to Kyle Cook for arranging his fighting pen champ clos of the first every Prize Playing there, and thanks also Ron Harris for acting as Gene Tausk’s corner. Gene’s ranking was a long time in coming but well earned. It was a fine example of ARMA's efforts to raise the bar. Congrats.

John C.

[David Kite]

Congratualtions, Gene!

David Kite

[kyle cook]

I would also like to say congrats to Gene on his prize. It is always a pleasure to have ARMA Members to our home. Pics of the Prize Playing will be up soon.

Kyle Cook
ARMA Houston
North Siders Study Group

[JeffGentry]

Gene
Wish i could have been there Congratulation's.

[Brian Hunt]

Congradulations Gene,

Always good to see people reaching their goals and moving forward in a positive direction.

Brian Hunt
GFS

[Stacy Clifford]

Congratulations Gene, well-played and well-earned.

[E. Perez]

Congrats again Gene, well done. It was an honor and a privilige to be able to participate in your Prize Playing.

The heat and humidity was really a bear which just underscores how well and hard Gene had to fight.

As always it was an opportunity to learn much and to meet fellow ARMA scholars. And thanks to Kyle and Kim for your generous hospitality.

[Joachim Nilsson]

Congratulations Gene! Well done!

[Randall Pleasant]

Con Respecto

Gene, as with all of our senior scholars, we respect your new rank because it was earned through hard fighting. We learned to respect your skill at the far end of your longsword. We experienced your friendship before, during, and after your prize play. Your performance makes all of us proud to be part of this organization. It was indeed an honor and a privilige to have stood along side so many other fine scholars and participated in your Prize Playing.

[Matthew_Anderson]

Good on ya' Gene, Hope to see you at the next International Gathering.

[JeanryChandler]

Congrats Gene!

Any footage, clips, or photos of the event?
Which weapons or combinations did you find the most challenging?


J

[John_Clements]

[Gene Tausk]

Wanted to post earlier, but for some reason I could not get into the forum at home. So, post at work instead....

A big thanx to everyone for participating in this event

Thanx to John (of course)

Big thanx to Kyle for letting us use his amazing training facility. If you have not been to Kyle's house/sparring ring, you are missing a real treat. Kyle has invested considerable time and energy into creating a first-class sparring ring and I, for one, am grateful.

Thanx as well to the ARMA Houston, Dallas-Ft. Worth and College Station study groups. Your input, namely by beating me up (or trying to anyway <img src="/forum/images/icons/wink.gif" alt="" /> ) was well appreciated.

Finally, a great big thanx to Prof. Ron Harris for acting as my cornerman. I was honored to have you in my corner and could not have done this without you.

I have been through two previous "black belt" tests and I can tell you from my perspective that this was the hardest. There is something primordial about having to face a skilled opponent with a weapon and fighting based on your own skills when the sparring is for real. There is no form or kata here - just contact (as to which my bruised body can attest...). You get a whole new level of respect for our European ancestors who developed these skills and weapons after playing the prize.

Thanx again to all and I will definitely be seeing everyone at the next International event, if not sooner.

-------------&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;gene tausk

Senior Free Scholar
Houston, TX

ARMA Forum Moderator

[Erich Wagner]

Congratulations again Gene! It was indeed an honor to take part in your prize playing. It's definitely a sign of superior ability when you're able to run on shear instinct and training as you were during the final bouts of your test. I was exhausted by proxy just watching what you had to endure. Very well done.