The May 2026 Bando Open Freestyle Martial Arts Tournament is set for May 16th in Weirton, WV, hosted by Weirton Bando in conjunction with the ABA/NBAA at the Millsop Community Center, and it’s shaping up to be a strong event. This is a great opportunity for folks of all levels to compete, demonstrate and gain valuable experience. Tournaments like this are a vital part of our specialized brother and sisterhood. They provide a chance to grow, perform, and test skills alongside others in the Bando community. Whether you’re competing or coming to support, each person’s presence adds to the level of the event. As part of the ABA/NBAA mission, we also take pride in honoring all veterans and first responders through events like this. Following the tournament, there will be a black belt promotion and induction ceremony on Saturday evening. Anyone who believes they are eligible for promotion or induction must contact Jerry George at jageorge3@aol.com or 304-231-8936. Promotion criteria remains: 1. Active/Perform 2. Current/Dues 3. Recommendation/Confirmation Training will be offered the following day, May 17th, with two sessions at the Millsop Community Center: Stick of Steel Training with Sayaji Jerry George: 9:00–11:00 AM — open to all styles and experience levels, $30 (pay at the door) BJJ Seminar with Butch Hiles: 9:00-11:30 AM — open to all styles and experience levels, $50 (pay at the door) Looking ahead, we’ll carry that momentum into the ABA/NBAA August/Summer Camp in Athens, Ohio, scheduled for July 31st through August 2nd. This year’s camp will contain variety. Additional information to come. We look forward to seeing strong participation at these upcoming events. Jerry A. George ABA/NBAA Chief Instructor and President Respectfully,
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.
