World Kung Fu/Wushu Championships in Orlando, Florida.

Watson emerged with seven top five finishes in the men's senior (35-45) advanced division, including first in Traditional Open Fist Form, second in Double Weapons and third in Open Internal.

The black belt also had fourth-place finishes in the Broad Sword Weapons, Northern Traditional -- where he had points deducted for finishing two seconds under the 45-second limit -- and the Internal Short Weapons. He was also fifth in Open Weapons.

More than 1,500 competitors from the United States, Bermuda, Brazil, UK, Canada, Mexico, Spain, Italy, Barbados, China, South Africa and Australia took part in the event.

The tournament is held every two years and is considered the premier event for kung fu.

This year, the masters demonstrations, opening demonstrations and the finals of full contact fighting were covered by ESPN Pay Per View.

"Despite the demo and fighting being a highlight TV event, the tournament was quite a prestigious affair,'' said Watson who pointed out that most of the competitors in the senior open division are already head instructors of schools.

"The calibre of competition was one of the highest I've been involved with.

The judges were extremely strict.'' Watson is planning to participate in one more tournament overseas this year -- the Caribbean Grand Slam in Puerto Rico in October -- but will not compete in 1998 because of a planned trip to China in April.

KEVIN WATSON