Your friends at IMAC, USA welcome everyone who will be joining us for the 2nd Annual Martial Arts Olympics East-West Open. We look forward to sharing this extraordinary experience with you in April 2008; and, wish you the best of success at the East-West Open. In addition to organizing a once-in-lifetime trip for the competitors and spectators, IMAC USA was challenged to select a team to compete in the Olympic 'Battle of the Continents' which will feature fighting teams representing Asia, Europe, North America; and, the host country Russia. As a result, IMAC's scouting team set-out on a nationwide search to find the most outstanding American martial artists. With so much exceptional talent here in the United States, this mission proved to be demanding, but also extremely rewarding. We'd like to share with you a few great stories; and, martial artists we've had the pleasure to meet along the way. Athletes, that you can call teammates. Together, we will show the world the talent, heart and soul that America has to offer. In addition, we?d like to introduce to you the United States team.

Marissa Mayer – 1st Dan in American Freestyle Karate

dedication: noun. Commitment, allegiance, loyalty.
The act of binding yourself (intellectually or emotionally) to a course of action.

Marissa Mayer knows a thing or two about dedication. She is a senior in high school; and, an extremely serious student who takes great pride in her work. Remarkably, she has maintained 1st honors since the 7th grade. In the 8th grade she was inducted into the National Honor Society and has continually maintained a 3.9 GPA since that time. She plans to pursue a career in personal training studying health and fitness next year in College.

Ms. Mayer began training in the martial arts at the age of 7. Like many of her IMAC USA teammates, Marissa’s father urged her to begin martial arts training. “My dad got me into it because it was always something that he was interested in; and, he wanted to get me in shape doing something healthy” Marissa says. “I actually cried my 1st class, but now believe it will be something that I’ll never stop doing because I love competing” she says. She ranked #1 in the Jr. Girls Black Belt Fighting division by the North American Sport Karate Association (NASKA) for the last six years; and, the National Blackbelt League (NBL) for the last three years.

Currently she’s a member of ‘Team Straight-Up’ training under Coach Joe Greenhalgh, alongside fellow IMAC USA team member Marc Canonizado. As a young lady, working her way up the ranks as a competitor; Marissa realized the effort and hard work that were required to win the proper respect in this predominantly male sport. Overcoming numerous challenges and sometimes criticism served as an inspiration to drive her toward accomplishing lofty goals. She describes herself as hardworking and dedicated; and, passionate about what she does. “Martial arts to me are a lifestyle. It teaches you so many life skills that carry over into everything you do in life. For example, it teaches you respect for other people. A lot of people practice karate just for fun and the socialization aspect; and, while those things do come along with competing, I’m focused on leaving behind a legacy in the sport. I want to be a female role model in the sport, especially for the young girls. I want to be remembered as a great fighter and person” Marissa states.

An active and enthusiastic athlete, Marissa enjoys a multitude of sports, hobbies and interests including: Karate, gymnastics, and basically any sports in general (especially football); health and fitness related fields; fashion; dancing, music (hip hop and R&B); and, spending time with friends, having fun, and making people laugh and smile.

“My school work is very important to me and is definitely not something that is easy to keep up with. I work very hard to keep my grades up, which is especially hard with the amount of traveling I do. I understand how important school is, and strive as much as I can to push myself to do my absolute best. I’m really looking forward to what my future holds” she remarks. Reflecting back on her recent noteworthy accomplishments and titles, we at IMAC USA share her excitement for the future. Keep up the good work Marissa!

2006 Ranked #1 by NASKA: 16-17 Girls Black Belt Fighting Ranked #1 by NBL: 15-17 Girls Black Belt Fighting Ranked #2 by NBL: 17 and under Girls Black Belt Continuous Fighting 2005 Ranked #1 by NASKA: 14-15 Girls, Black Belt Fighting Ranked #1 by Krane: 14-15 Girls, Black Belt Fighting Ranked #1 by NBL: 13-14 Girls, Black Belt Fighting Ranked #1 by NBL: Jr. Girls, Black Belt Fighting Teams NASKA Top Overall 14-17 Girls, Black Belt Fighter 2004 Ranked #1 by NASKA: 14-15 Girls, Black Belt Fighting Ranked #3 by NASKA: 14-15 Girls, Black Belt Extreme Forms Ranked #2 by NASKA: 14-15 Girls, Black Belt Creative Forms Ranked #1 by Krane: 14-15 Girls, Black Belt Fighting 2003 Ranked #1 by NASKA: 12-13 Girls, Black Belt Fighting Ranked #3 by NASKA: 12-13 Girls, Black Belt Open Forms Ranked #1 by Krane: 12-13 Girls, Black Belt Fighting Krane Top Overall Fighting Grand Champion NASKA Top Overall 13 and Under Girls, Black Belt Fighter 2002 Ranked #1 by NASKA, 12-13 Girls, Black Belt Fighting Ranked #1 by Krane, 12-13 Girls, Black Belt Fighting Ranked #2 by NASKA, 12-13 Girls, Black Belt Open Forms 2007 NBL Supergrands First, All-Belts Continuous Sparring 17↓ F 143+ (65+) 2007 Capitol Classics First, Black Belt Point Sparring 16-17 F 2007 Kumite Classic First, Black Belt Point Sparring 15-17 F 2007 Pacific Jewel First, Black Belt Point Sparring 15-17 F First, All Belts Continuous Sparring 17↓ F 121+ (55+) 2007 Golden Gate National First, Black Belt Point Sparring 15-17 F First, All Belts Continuous Sparring 17↓ F 121+ (55+) 2007 Salt City Nationals First, Black Belt Point Sparring 15-17 F 2006 NBL Supergrands First, Black Belt Point Sparring 15-17 F 2006 Diamond Nationals First, Black Belt Point Sparring 16-17 F 2006 US Open First, Black Belt Point Sparring 16-17 F 2006 Bluegrass Nationals First, Black Belt Point Sparring 16-17 F 2006 Kumite Classic First, Black Belt Point Sparring 15-17 F First, N-100 All Belts Continuous Sparring 17↓ F 121+ (55+) 2006 New England Open First, Black Belt Point Sparring 16-17F 2006 Quebec Open First, Black Belt Point Sparring 16-17F 2006 Golden Gate Internationals First, Black Belt Point Sparring 15-17F 2006 Ocean State Grand Nationals First, Black Belt Point Sparring 16-17F 2006 World Series of Martial Arts First, Black Belt Point Sparring 16-17F IMAC, USA would like to join Marissa in thanking the following the following for their sponsorship pledge: