Messages from the President

The American Bando Association/National Bando Association of America (ABA/NBAA) extends our gratitude to everyone who attended or participated in the 50th Annual Boxing for Books event hosted by Sam’s Gym on November 2, 2025. This year’s milestone gathering was a tremendous success, filled with spirit and sportsmanship. A special thank you to Mr. Sam Jones for inviting the ABA/NBAA to showcase a series of full-contact Bando matches, featuring talented fighters from Athens Bando and PA Bando. It was inspiring to see the match ups as well as other Bando members from differing areas come together to support this event and its charitable mission. As the nation commemorates Veterans Day, we are proud to say that Bando’s mission continues to honor veterans through discipline, respect, and the warrior spirit. During the event, a moving salute to our great veterans reminded all in attendance of the sacrifice and service that safeguard our freedoms. To all veterans within our Bando family and beyond we thank you and wish you a heartfelt Happy Veterans Day. Your courage and dedication remain an inspiration to us all.

We are pleased to share that this year’s Animal/Yoga Camp, held August 23rd–25th at its original outdoor location in Strouds Run, Athens, Ohio, was a well-attended and memorable gathering. The weekend reflected both the strength of our traditions and the dedication of our Bando Brotherhood and Sisterhood. A sincere thank you goes to the animal masters who shared their lifetime of knowledge, preserving and carrying forward the systems originally taught to many of us by Dr. U Maung Gyi: • Boar: Dave Kinney • Bull: Heather Hogan, Jeff Stanton, Carl Knoyer • Cobra: Stephen Knoyer • Eagle: Mary Mester • Panther: Steve Jasek • Scorpion: Dwight Lucas • Tiger: Jerry George, Derek George, Mark Clayton • Yoga: Gary Layton, Cheryl Cesta, James Sheeran and Karena Kilcoin Our “why” remains clear: to maintain and provide extensive animal training for dedicated members, offering opportunities for growth through events that call upon discipline, perseverance, and respect. We extend congratulations to Ron Minnix and Anthony Wilburn on their promotion to Seventh Level. In addition, we were honored to witness Grand Master Tim Fleming, together with Gary Layton, personally entrust the cherished Panther system to the very deserving Aaron McAvoy. This passing of knowledge marked a profound and inspiring moment for all in attendance. Looking to the future, discussion was held to include a time slot at next year’s camp for basic matrix unification. This addition will strengthen transparency and shared understanding of the foundational matrix, the very base of our Bando system. We are also pleased to remind that our annual November full-contact fighting event will be held in conjunction with Mr. Sam Jones’ Boxing for Books, traditionally hosted the first weekend of November. Mr. Jones and his team have carried on this remarkable effort for over 50 years, and it is an honor for us to join forces for such a meaningful cause. We look forward to welcoming many fighters to this unique collaboration. More details will be shared in the future. In closing, we thank every participant, instructor, and supporter who made this year’s camp a success. Special appreciation also goes to those who took the time to set the camp up—Mark Semingson, Gary Layton, Cheryl Cesta, Mary Mester, and many others—whose hard work made the weekend possible. Together, we uphold a tradition of excellence while building a future of strength, respect, and unity within our Bando community.

Bando Brothers and Sisters, A reminder for the ABA/NBAA Summer Training Camp August 22-24 2025 Strouds Run Campground Athen’s, Ohio Registration: $60 prior to August 1 as well as a current member status $90 after August 1 or non-current members Attending ABA/NBAA events is vital to staying connected to our roots and growing in both skill and spirit. Our national training camps are where the depth of the Bando system truly comes to life. From some to include the powerful Animal Systems to the discipline of Bando Yoga, these camps offer training you won’t find anywhere else. The in-depth focus on the Nine Animal Styles and Bando Yoga is not just tradition; it’s part of the heart of our system. These camp opportunities are more than just events—they’re where brotherhood, sisterhood, technique and tradition come together. We encourage all instructors and students to attend to experience what makes our system truly unique.

Dear Bando Family, As the energy from the Annual Memorial Freestyle and Full Contact Tournament settles, the American Bando Association (ABA)/National Bando Association of America (NBAA) wants to extend our deepest thanks to everyone who made this event a success. From the fierce competitors to the dedicated coaches, sharp-eyed judges, tireless volunteers, and all the supporters who filled the venue with Bando spirit—we are incredibly grateful. The commitment and energy brought this event to life, and your support helps keep the traditions of Bando strong and growing. We were honored to welcome schools from across the region—including Athens Bando, DMV Bando Club, PA Bando, Sam’s Gym along with Chad Blevins- Bando Boxing, Steubenville Bando, Thompkins Karate Association, Weirton Bando, Wheeling Bando, and other dedicated systems who joined us in brotherhood, sisterhood and shared tradition. This Memorial Freestyle and Full Contact Tournament, we came together not only to celebrate the spirit of Bando but to honor the legacy of our law enforcement, first responders, and veterans—those whose sacrifice and service protect the freedoms we hold dear. Competing in their honor added deeper meaning and purpose to every form, every fight, and every show of respect on the floor. We were proud to witness youth and adult practitioners across all belt levels—black, brown, green, and white—displaying the discipline, tradition and skill of Bando. Each performance was a testament to the dedication and heart you bring to this sport. Each competitor upheld the values that make our organization unique. Sunday Training Clinic This year’s clinic centered on entry point strategies, offering in-depth instruction in: Empty Hand Kukri Hand Staff Hand Students gained valuable insights into the foundations of effective attack and defense sequences across forms and weapons. Upcoming Outdoor Animal Camp Get ready for the next event. The Animal Camp will be held at Strouds Run in Athens, OH. This immersive experience will bring students and instructors together in nature for intensive training and camaraderie. Keep an eye out for the flyer with full details. November Full Contact Fighting Tournament Annual Full Contact Fighting tournament in November is likely to be held in conjunction with Sam’s Gym’s “Boxing for Books” event in the Columbus, Ohio area. More information will be released as it comes. We are proud of everyone who took the floor to compete, honor, learn, and lead. Thank you for continuing to elevate the spirit of Bando. We look forward to training, growing, and celebrating with you again soon. We hope everyone had a meaningful Memorial Day, taking time to reflect on what the day truly represents—a solemn remembrance of the first responders, law enforcement, and veterans who have made great sacrifices in service to our communities and nation. In Brotherhood, Sisterhood, and Respect, 🏆 Division Champions Black Belt Champions • Animal Empty Hand Form: 🥇 Zach Stahly | 🥈 Michael Stahly • Line Form: 🥇 Will Stange • Staff Form: 🥇 Michael Stahly • Edge Weapon: 🥇 Will Stange • Freestyle Fighting – Bracket One: 🥇 B. Davis | 🥈 Will Stange | 🥉 Zach Stahly • Freestyle Fighting – Bracket Two: 🥇 Michael Stahly | 🥈 D. Farmer | 🥉 J. Marcellus Brown Belt Champions • Animal/Empty Hand Form: 🥇 Greg Vasey | Female: 🥇Michelle Eitel • Line Form Female:🥇Michelle Eitel • Staff Form: 🥇 Greg Vasey • Edge Weapon Female: 🥇Michelle Eitel • Sparring: 🥇 N. Shrestha | 🥈 Frank O’Brien • Heavyweight Sparring: 🥇 D. Farmer | 🥈 B. Rogers | 🥉 Greg Vasey Green Belt Champions • Animal/Empty Hand Form: 🥇 Frank O’Brien | Youth: 🥇 Sam Kerr | 🥈 Colton Braddock • Staff/Stick Form: 🥇 Frank O’Brien | Youth: 🥇 Colton Braddock • Sparring: 🥇 W. Smith | 🥈 J. Beal | 🥉 L. Hetzner | Youth: 🥇 A. Christoff | 🥈 S. Kerr | 🥉 Colton Braddock White Belt Champions • Sparring: 🥇 J. Poches | 🥈 T. Gordon | 🥉 L. Thompson | Female: 🥇Shekinah Apedo • Staff/Stick Form Female: 🥇Shekinah Apedo • Line Form Female: 🥇Shekinah Apedo Most Outstanding Awards Earned by 9 Point System • Most Outstanding Female Competitor: Michelle Eitel • Most Outstanding Male Competitor (Tie): Michael Stahly & Will Stange • Most Outstanding School: Wheeling Bando Additionally, Curtis Jayjohn performed an impressive edge weapon demonstration as part of the evaluation for his promotion to Black Belt – 7th Level. His performance reflected the depth of skill, precision, and commitment required at this elite rank. The tournament also proudly included Full Contact Fighting (FCF), adding an intense and dynamic level of competition that tested the skill and courage of all who stepped into the ring. Full Contact Fighting (FCF) Winners • Bout #1: 🥇 Smith | 🥈 Beal • Bout #2: 🥇 Millard | 🥈 Moreno • Bout #3: 🥇 Karasarides | 🥈 Sayers • Bout #4: 🥇 Davis | 🥈 Thompson • Bout #5: 🥇 Goodin | 🥈 Stange • Bout #6: 🥇 Graffagnino | 🥈 Demko • Bout #7: 🥇 Shrestha | 🥈 Millard These matches highlighted the courage and physical intensity that define FCF. We commend all fighters who tested themselves in this demanding division.

With deep appreciation we are proud to announce that Andy Hogan has made an incredibly generous donation of $4,000 to the American Bando Association and the National Bando Association of America in conjunction with Wheeling Bando. The best part is— we’re passing that donation straight on to the Helping Heroes Foundation. Helping Heroes is dedicated to supporting the brave men and women who have selflessly served our country, and it is a cause that aligns beautifully with the core of Bando’s teachings— discipline, respect, service, and honor. The ABA and NBAA are deeply thankful for Mr. Hogan’s generosity. With this gift, we are reminded of the power of unity and the impact we can make when we come together with purpose. This donation not only supports our veterans—it also strengthens our continued mission to honor those who protect and serve, to cultivate character in our students, and to carry forward the legacy of martial arts as a force for good in the world. Thank you, Mr. Hogan, for your support. And thank you to everyone here who plays a part in keeping this mission alive. Let us continue to honor service, celebrate generosity, and train with purpose.