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by Scott Gracia Following are some pictures from the first ever IKTHOF banquet and induction ceremony! Enjoy!!! (A listing of inductees and what category they were inducted into are posted at the bottom of the page.) I'd like to give a big thanks to Rick Lemberg, Todd Abrams, Joe Darrah and Mike Bainton for sharing these pictures. Thanks again guys!!! And now on to the event... The night started off with a catered dinner that was just delicious! 
THE INDUCTION CEREMONY: This event was a real eye opener. We got to learn a bit about each person being inducted and it couldn't have gone off any better. Rick Lemberg (President of the PKT) was the emcee and did a fine job introducing the inductees by giving a brief history about each person and what sort of impact they've had on the sport. Its tough to explain just how remarkable these events are. Its so much fun spending time with people who enjoy the same thing that you enjoy. Normally when I'm in a room full of people and I mention "knife throwing", nobody really pays attention. But at an event like this, all you have to do is whisper the word "knife" or "throwing" and EVERYONE wants to get in on the conversation! "Itsa" beautiful thing! :-) were being handed out: 
Here is Larry Czekaj from Maryland. Larry has been to more tournaments throughout the country than most anyone! 
Joe Darrah (aka Brokenfeather) from Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Joe got his first set of knives back in 1962 and he's been throwing and promoting ever since! 
Mike (Iron Post) Kolisch from Creede, Colorado. Mike is known nationwide in the mountain man throwing circles as an expert knife thrower, maker, instructor and promoter! 
Dan Dennehy from Del Norte, Colorado. Dan started making knives in 1940 and is one of the original members of the American Knife Makers Guild. Dans been throwing since the age of 7... 72 years and counting! 
Its me (Scott Gracia) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 
Gil Hibben needs no introduction to anyone familiar with custom made knives. Well recognized the world over for his fantasy and functional knife designs, Mr. Hibben has been designing knives since 1957. He has made custom knives for John Wayne, Elvis Presley, Steve McQueen, Sylvester Stallone, Steven Segal and Vice President Dan Quayle and has designed knives for over 34 different television shows and movies! 
Here is Bob Karp, (aka Master of the Blade) President of the International Knife Throwing Alliance. Bobs first throwers were actually bayonets that his Father gave to him. The bayonets were all different lengths, weights and shapes which accounts for his ability to accurately throw anything with a blade! 
Chuck (Walking Eagle) Weems, has been throwing since around 1996, working primarily in the Mountain Man style and participating in primitive rendezvous. In the last 5 years he has also begun promoting, teaching and demonstrating the art of knife throwing. 
Jim Tanner has only been throwing for a short time but has already taken home a few first place finishes. He took first place in the Central USA Knife Throwing Tournament in 2002, and also won the PKT event is Las Vegas, NV in 2003. 
This is Pat (The Machine) Minter, from Shelby, Alabama. Pat began throwing as a hobby in 1991, and entered his first contest in 1996. Since that time he has exploded into the knife throwing competition scene with an amazing 19 first place wins! 
This is Rick Lemberg, Founder and President of the Pacific Knife Throwers, located in the western United States. 
Here is Roy (Moses) Neal. His expertise centers around the Mountain Man era and rendezvous' of this time period. Without the dedication of the following people, this event would not have made it off the ground, or run as smoothly as it did! To Mike Snowden, Audrey West and Mike Bainton... Thanks for everything!!! 
Here is Master Snowden receiving a knife from Mike Kolisch for all of the hard work he put into making this happen! 
And here is Audrey West being presented with some flowers for the weeks of hard work and dedication she put into this event! 
At the finish of the ceremony, Joe Darrah went up and gave Mike Bainton a big "thank you" for putting on such a historical event! Joe also surprised Mike with a gift from he and his son Shane... 
After the dinner and inductions were over, everyone just hung around mingling, talking and posing for pictures. Here are a few of those pics from after the induction: 
Here are Vlada, Mike and Leanna Bainton, along with his very shiney knife :-) 
Its always great to see old friends! This is me (The Great ThrowZini), and David Adamovich (The Great ThrowDini)! 
Here Joe Darrah, Gil Hibben and Mike Bainton are out at the target boards. 
Throwdini was kind enough to bring a live taping of his latest Impalement Routine for everyone to see! He is a phenomenal impalement artist and his show is first rate! If you'd like to see some of it just check out his Instructional Video! 
This is my buddy Dave Fettig (The Balisong Man) and Gil Hibben. 
Here we have Mike Bainton, Joe Darrah, Dan Dennehy and Paul Elliott relaxing and talking after the night began to wind down. 
Congratulations to everyone involved and a special thanks to Mike Bainton, Audrey West, Mike Snowden and everyone else that helped make this great idea a reality!!! HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES AND CATEGORIES: Outstanding Achievement in the Impalement Arts David Adamovich ("The Great Throwdini") Instructor of the Year - John L. Bailey Knife Throwing Pioneer Award - Sylvester & Barbara Braun Special Recognition Award - Burl Carl (The Underhand Man) Bronze Life Achievement Award - Lawrence H. Czekaj Silver Life Achievement Award - Joe "Brokenfeather" Darrah International Knife Maker of the Year - Dan Dennehy National Knife Maker of the Year - Lee Fugatt Knife Throwing Promoter of the Year Scott Gracia ("The Great Throwzini") Knife Throwing Pioneer Award - Charles Gruzanski Outstanding Achievement in Knife Design - Gil Hibben Golden Life Achievement Award Bob Karp ("Master of the Blade") International Instructor of the Year Mike "Iron Post" Kolisch Pinnacle Award of Success - Rick Lemberg Knife Throwing Pioneer Award - Harry McEvoy Outstanding Male Competitor - Pat "The Machine" Minter State Champion of the Year - Roy "Moses" Neal Knife Throwing Pioneer Award Kenneth Pierce ("Che Che Whitecloud") National Champion of the Year - Jim Tanner National Achievement Award Douglas Waldorf ("Chief Thundercloud") National Instructor of the Year Award Chuck "Walking Eagle" Weems It's free, and there's no obligation. |
A friendly hand shake can get you started!CLICK HERE "... He has so many helpful hints in the video I've watched it 3 times already. Thanks to his guidance and easy to follow instructions, my sticking has improved considerably." M. Devine Boise, ID PREVIOUS Central US Championships: Results For The 1st Annual 2002 Central US Championship FREE STUFF CLICK HERE for FREE 101 Knife Throwing Tips Info-Pak Want hundreds of great knife throwing tips, ideas, articles and interviews with some of the biggest names in the sport of knife throwing? Get our FREE, twice-a-month Great Throwzini Online Newsletter. Just click below and send. CLICK HERE for FREE Online Newsletter or send e-mail to: bigfishtips@gmail.com with SUBSCRIBE in the Subject Line. I respect your privacy and will never share or sell your e-mail address to anyone. |