SKIPPER Ingham, 78, founder of Bermuda Karate Institute, placed first in a field of six in the senior forms category of competition at one of the longest running open tournaments in the US ¿ the Shihan Gary Alexander's 45th IAMA (International Association of Martial Artists) Championships held on April 13 in Piscataway, New Jersey.

Chuck Norris and Bruce Lee attended the event in its early years. Ingham's photo during the 2007 edition, which he also won, is featured in Alexander's online information for this year's event, http://mysite.verizon.net/vzet3n68/garyalexander/id1.html

During the IAMA event, Ingham met California Muay Thai practitioners Nick and Chris Mechling, who are set to assist him in developing that style of training in Bermuda. BKI student, Ray Sillar, has been conducting a Muay Thai class at BKI since late last year and will be demonstrating with students during the 26th Bermuda Open Karate Championships (BOKC) at Fairmont Hamilton Princess on April 27.

The BKI ¿ Bermuda's original karate dojo ¿ is hosting the championships and along with championship fights featuring Bermuda's top karate athletes of all ages, a demonstration of Muay Thai (the newest martial arts to enter Bermuda) there will also be the annual Wellness Show promoting Bermuda's health and wellness providers.

Established in 1983, the BOKC is Bermuda's longest running karate tournament. Led by Skipper Ingham, Bermuda's Grand patriarch of martial arts and Hall of Fame Inductee, and his wife, Kristina Ingham, the BOKC has over the years, attracted competitors from the US, Canada, England, Germany, and Argentina.

New to this year's event is the Muay Thai demonstration from student, Raymond Sillar. Muay Thai, often referred to as Thai boxing, is a form of hard martial arts practiced in several Southeast Asian countries including Thailand.

Muay Thai is unique in the way it uses all parts of the body, including the elbows and knees, for both training and competitions. BKI currently offers Muay Thai classes and its popularity is evident in how quickly the number of students has grown ¿ from two to over 30 students in less than four months.

Skipper Ingham said: "With mixed martial arts rising in popularity, the Muay Thai style of training is a good addition to our karate curriculum. Muay Thai encourages a level of fitness for competitors interested in moving into MMA, or the Thai and full contact sections of kickboxing in WAKO, the world governing body for kickboxing, with which we are affiliated."

The new Wellness Show brings together Bermuda's personal wellness providers in one roof and is designed to promote the concept of nurturing one's mind, body, and soul.

"Our Wellness Show will give suppliers of goods and services that promote wellness with an incredible opportunity to interact with martial artists and their supporters ¿ people who are dedicated to developing body, mind, and spirit in harmony," said Kristina Ingham.

Exhibitors will include nutrition, fitness, relaxation and spiritual healing providers from across Bermuda selling and offering demonstrations of their products and services.

For more information about this event visit www.bokcandwellnessshow.com Event Details Bermuda Open Karate Championships & Wellness Show Sunday, April 27, 2008 ¿ 9:00am to 2:00pm Fairmont Hamilton Princess, Princess Ballroom.

Admission: Adults - $10, Children (under 12) - $5.

Tickets available at Bermuda Karate Institute, King Street, Hamilton and on the day of event Bermuda Karate Institute.

For further information about Bermuda Karate Institute, visit http://bermudakarate.free.bm/ or call Kristina Ingham at (441)- 292-2157 or email kinghamcwbda.bm For further information on the event, please call Event Planner, Celina Florendo at (441) 332-7237 or email bki_eventbermuda.com