Bergamo's Martial Arts

News & Announcements

2/2006- BMA Masters"Play" Las Vegas Grandmaster Ralph Bergamo and Master Drew Serrano were recently brought out to Las Vegas, NV, to be one of the featured acts of "Beachers Madhouse", a variety show that runs weekly at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. The duo were brought to the attention of the producers of "Beachers" by Matt Mullins, a CA based martial artist that has been featured in commercials, film, and print ads. The show had an idea of what they were looking for, but they wanted to make sure they were getting the best. After seeing footage of Team Bergamo in action, the producers immediately went to work to get GM Bergamo and Master Serrano on a plane to Vegas within 2 days. The producers of the show were quite impressed with the performance of the Martial Arts Masters and the response of the 2000 plus in the audience. There are already plans in the works for future engagements. Photos will soon be available in the gallery.

10/2005- BMA Masters represent the US in Trinidad, Grand Master Bergamo and Master Serrano were among 10 Masters chosen to represent the United States at the Pan-Caribbean International Martial Arts Championships held October 12-17, 2005 in Trinidad, West Indies. The US contingent was afforded "Diplomatic" status as they arrived at the airport. Over the course of the 5 day event the group met with the Nation's Minister of Sports and Minister of Education to discuss the Nation's involvement in the World Martial Arts arena. The group was joined by Masters from other Caribbean islands in commending Professor Christopher Francis on his continued commitment to the Martial Arts, and his strong involvement in changing the lives of so many youth who have benefited from his teachings. GM Bergamo and Master Serrano's main focus at the event was to perform a demonstration and to run the Pan-Caribbean Breaking Championships under the United States Breaking Association and World Breaking Association guidelines. On Saturday, GM Bergamo and Master Serrano performed a high intensity breaking demonstration for the thousands in attendance, including the Minister of Education herself. The duo awed the crowd with breaks never seen on the island, including breaks through piles of concrete, kicks through wood, a shin kick through a broom stick, having broom sticks broken over the arms, and finished the routine with their signature coconut breaks. The crowd responded with cheers and rushed the two for autographs. The two were overwhelmed with the amount of recognition they received for their appearances on ESPN2 and the Discovery Channel. On Sunday, the two ran the first ever WBA Pan-Caribbean Breaking Championships. They were pleasantly surprised by the great turnout of competitors, most of which were children and had never competed in breaking prior to the event. GM Bergamo and Master Serrano commended the competitors on their raw talent and encouraged them to continue training and competing. Some of the highlights of the competition were the very intense youth competitors, a flying elbow and knee by a Muay Thai practitioner, and a spear hand through a watermelon. GM Bergamo, Master Serrano, and the rest of the US group have already committed to make next year's Pan-Caribbean even better. The group will begin working on next year's event early 2006.

7/2005- Team Bergamo fairs well at the US Open World Martial Arts Championships Team Bergamo wins ISKA World Breaking Championships and fairs well in other events Over the July 4th weekend, Team Bergamo was in Orlando, FL for their annual appearance at Disney World competing in the US Open Martial Arts Championships. With competitors from all over the world, The US Open is one of the largest open Martial Arts tournaments in the world.  It is also televised throughout the year on ESPN 2. The team faired well in a multitude of divisions. The resulta are as follows: Master Bergamo:   ·         “World Champion”, Power Wood Kick, lightweight ·         2nd place, overall Ultimate Breaking ·         2nd place, Power Concrete, lightweight ·         3rd place, Creative Breaking ·         3rd place, Combat Wood   Master Serrano: ·         4th place, Power Concrete, heavyweight ·         4th place, Combat Wood ·         5th place, Creative Breaking   Clinton Murphy: ·         “World Champion”, Power Concrete, heavyweight ·         2nd place, Combat Wood ·         2nd place, Power Wood Kick, heavyweight ·         6th place, Creative Breaking   Larry Fields: ·         2nd place, Power Concrete, heavyweight ·         5th place, Combat Wood   Vincent Milo: ·         3rd place, Power Concrete, heavyweight   Eric Sousa: ·         4th Place, Black Belt Self Defense   Jonathan Hardwicke: ·         “USBA US Champion”, Power Wood Elbow, under 17 ·         “USBA US Champion”, Creative Open, under 17   Fernando Camareno: ·         2nd place, Power Wood Kick, lightweight ·         4th place, Power Concrete, lightweight   Steve Russo: ·         “USBA US Champion”, Power Concrete Elbow, 18 and 0ver, under Black Belt, lightweight ·         5th place, Creative Breaking   Peter DeMarco: ·         3rd place, Power Concrete, lightweight   Kelly Pearce: ·         “World Champion”, Self Defense, under Black Belt, under 17 ·         3rd place, Point Sparring, under Black Belt, under 17   Bill Hardwicke: 2nd place, Traditional Forms, Beginner/Intermediate, 35 and up

Masters Bergamo and Serrano promoted Master Bergamo promoted to Grand Master and Master Serrano promoted to 6th degree On March 18, 2005, The International Sokeship Council recognized Master Ralph Bergamo for his lifetime dedication to the Martial Arts by making him a lifetime member of the Council as well as promoting him to the rank of 8th degree Black Belt, considered Grand Master. He was also awarded the title of Senior Master (Soke) in the Ineternational Sanryudo Federation. On May 22, 2005, Grand Master Bergamo promoted Head Instructor Drew Serrano to 6th degree Black Belt in the Rossi Kun Tao System. GM Bergamo cited Master Serrano's dedication to the studios, the students, our Demonstartion Team, Team Bergamo, and the American Filipino Kun Tao Federation.

6/17-18/2005- BTSQ members win International Champ Team Bergamo wins USBA International Championships at the BOC World Games in Columbus, OH On the weekend of June 17, Team Bergamos traveled to Columbus, OH to compete in the Battle of Columbus World Games at the Greater Columbus Convention. The Team was asked to perform an impromptu demonstration to open the tournament. Members Clinton Murphy, Vincent Milo, Peter DeMarco, and Fernando Camareno smashe through piles of concrete for the opening ceremonies and thrilled the audiences. GM Bergamo and Master Serrano were charged with running the breaking divisions under the USBA guidlines, the USBA was founded by Bergamo and Serrano. BTSQ dominated their divisions taking multiple International Championships (the BOC World Games was sanctioned as the International Championships of the USBA circuit). Below is a complete listing of the teams' wins: Vincent Milo: International Champion Power Concrete Elbow, Hvy Clinton Murphy: International Champion Power Concrete Elbow, Hvy Peter DeMarco: 2nd place Power Concrete Elbow, Lt; International Champion Power Concrete Feet; 2nd place Freestyle Creative Open Breaking. Fernando Camareno: International Champion Power Concrete Hand, Lt; International Champion Power Concrete Elbow, Lt; 2nd place Power Concrete Feet; International Champion Freestyle Creative Open Breaking.

4/2005- BMA Students win big at the 2005 NJ Open BMA Students won big at the 2005 New Jersey Open in Rahway, NJ, 3/13/2005 Members of the BMA competitive team won in multiple divisions at the NJ Open held in Rahway, NJ. The NJ Open was the host of the USBA NJ Regionals Breaking Championships, the USBA was founded by Master Bergamo and Master Serrano, with divisions in Creative Breaking, Long and High jump, and Power Wood; as well as Tae Kwon Do forms and fighting divisions. Members of the BMA competitive team as well as Team Bergamo competed in and dominated just about all of the breaking divisions. It was great to see some of the younger students from our studio competing at an outside event. Congratulations to all of the winners below: Zachary Burska: 1st place in Long Jump and 1st in Creative; Sarah Kulenski: 1st place in Creative, 2nd place in High Jump, 3rd Place in Long Jump; Christopher Guzoski: 1st place in Creative, 1st in Power Wood Elbow, 1st in Power Wood Hand; Olivia Bufalini: 1st place in Creative, 2nd place in Long Jump, 3rd place in High Jump; Sean Anderson: 2nd place in Power Wood Hand, 3rd in Power Wood Elbow; Stephen Hiney: 1st place in Creative, 2nd place in Long Jump.

Bergamo's Team in Atlantic City, 1/2005 Bergamo's Team and The BMA Demo Team to be featured in Atlantic City Members of the competitive team will partner with the BMA Demo Team traveling to Atlantic City on Saturday January 15, 2005 as one of the featured demonstrations at the Action Martial Arts Trade Show and Expo Mega Martial Arts Weekend, http://www.theactionarena.com/index.htm. This will be the team's 2nd year as a featured demonstration at the World class event. Last year the team thrilled audiences with their demonstration 'Mirabile Visu II' which incorporated breaking, self-defense routines, weaponry, gymnastics, and form into the intricate 5 minute demostration. This year's demonstration,  Mirabile Visu IV, will once again raise the bar with even more intricate synchronized weponry and form. The breaking will also be at a World-Class level as always with the inclusion of Bergamo's Team members. Any individuals interested in accompanying the team please contact Master Bergamo for details.

Master Bergamo inducted into PR Hall of Fame Master Ralph Bergamo named "Pioneer of Breaking" for Puerto Rico and Team Bergamo honored at Ju Jitsu Hall of Fame, October 16, 2004 Team Bergamo traveled to sunny Puerto Rico the weekend of October 15th, 2004 to participate in the National Martial Arts day for the island. They were part of a world wide contigent of Masters, Founders, promoters and students invited to take part in the festivities. Team Bergamo members Master Ralph Bergamo, Master Drew Serrano, Master Raphael Velez, Peter DeMarco, and Master Fernando Camareno (Team Bergamo's Puerto Rican representative) concluded the festivities held Friday night, which included demonstrations and seminars by Masters form across the globe, with an Extreme Breaking demonstration that thrilled the hundreds in attendence. Team Bergamo signed autographs for many who have followed the team's television appearances and Championship wins. The team was also invited to the Ju Jitsu Hall of Fame banquet and awards ceremony held Saturday night. Master Bergamo was inducted into the exclusive Hall of Fame and received the prestigious title of "Pioneer of Breaking" for Puerto Rico, the only individual holding the title. Master Fernando Camareno was inducted as "Master of the Year" for his work with troubled youths and adults. The rest of the team, including Master Bergamo's wife Kim, received awards at the ceremony for the positive contributions to the Martial Arts community. Team Bergamo has gained popularity on the island over the past 2 years. They are planning many future trips to Puerto Rico to promote the positive aspects of Breaking and Martial Arts in general. Master Bergamo and Master Serrano, co-founders of the United States Breaking Association, are also in the process of setting up a sanctioned breaking event sometime in the near future.

Team Bergamo to be featured on The David Lettermen Team Bergamo members to be featured on The David Lettermen Show Tuesday, May 25th On May 25th, members of Team Bergamo will travel to the Big Apple for a taping of the David Lettermen Show to be aired later that night. The main focus of their appearance will be a World Record attempt by member Leif Becker for the most boards broken in one minute. In Leif's last attempt at Mohegan Sun in April he broke 370 boards in one minute, only 45 boards away from the current record of 415. The team is waiting to hear if the show will also feature breaking demonstrations from it's other top members. The GCI Company, Shick's marketting company, is currently working on the specifics for the taping. Shick recently became the official sponsor of Team Bergamo. Tickets are not sold, but those interested may get tickets that day. More details will be forthcoming.

The ISKA North American Breaking Championships, April 23-24, 2004, Mohegan Sun Resort & Casino, Uncasville, CT. Master Ralph Bergamo will host the ISKA North American Breaking Championships being held on Saturday 4/24 as well as Under Black Belt Breaking divisions being held on Friday 4/23.  The ISKA North American Championships are a precursor to the ISKA World Championships to be held in Florida this July.