WNY Combat League

Wow—how have eight years gone by so fast? It’s hard to believe this all began when Todd hosted his very first tournament, the Emma J. Patterson Taekwondo Invitational. At the time, I was honestly burned out on tournaments. Then I got a flyer from Todd. We met, talked it through, and I brought my team out. Not long after that, Brian hosted the next tournament, and when it wrapped up, I asked everyone to hang back for a few minutes. That’s when I floated the idea of starting the Western New York Combat League.

And here we are today—at the finale of the League.

It’s bittersweet. Through this League, I’ve made lifelong friends, countless acquaintances through all of your students, and together we truly expanded our martial arts family. I wish I could say my hair was a lot darker back then—we were all younger—but you’ve known me way too long for that excuse to work. 😄

Along the way, we had our hiccups and growing pains. But those weren’t failures—they were lessons. Through thick and thin, we stayed together. Now this chapter is closing, but as one door closes, another opens. Life pulls us in different directions, yet somehow we keep finding ourselves meeting again at those familiar crossroads.

If I had to point to the single most defining moment of what we built together, it would be when Rob became seriously ill—when we honestly weren’t even sure if he was going to survive. Without hesitation, members of this group—people who had their own schools—came together to keep his school open. That wasn’t about rank, trophies, or business. That was about family. If that doesn’t define what we created together, I don’t know what does.

Todd is stepping into a career to better support his family, being the responsible father and husband we all respect. My seminars have really taken off, with more travel as I work to fulfill a promise I made to my teacher—to make sure this art doesn’t die. Tom and Kayla now have a new little one to care for, and hopefully one day, that child will be part of a future generation of our martial arts family.

And for those who are still competing, we now have the MA-Tour. Just think about that—a large portion of the MA-Tour competitors are former Western New York Combat League members. That alone speaks volumes about how much we’ve grown and how strong this community has become. These tournaments and seminars may very well be the crossroads that continue to bring us back together.

And if I haven’t said it enough, let me say it clearly—if you ever need me, I’m only a phone call away. No matter where life takes us, I hope we stay connected. I truly consider you all friends.

Actually… we’re more than that. We’re family.
And I love my family.
But we don’t always have to like each other. 😄

In closing, Todd, thank you for having the courage to start that first tournament. I brought my team to you in 2017 and competed alongside them, and I finished the League the exact same way—bringing my students and competing with them in your final tournament. Thank you, my friend, for everything you started and for allowing all of us to be part of it.

Respectfully,
Datu Tim Hartman
Horizon Martial Arts
World Modern Arnis Alliance

Hey everyone,
This weekend is your last chance to rack up points for the 2024 season of the Western New York Combat League! The grand finale is happening at Pride Martial Arts with the Redemption Tournament—and you don’t want to miss it.
Not only will you experience top-notch competition, but the camaraderie among competitors and coaches is truly unmatched. This is more than just a tournament; it’s a celebration of sports martial arts and our incredible community.
I’m excited to see you all there! Let’s make this finale unforgettable.
– Datu Tim Hartman
Horizon Martial Arts & the World Modern Arnis Alliance

Register now:

PMA Fall Redemption | MAT Action Please do not use this form to request support as it is not checked as often, please use the support button in the bottom right instead.

We’re just a week away from the next tournament in the WNY Combat League Series – the Buffalo-Niagara Laban Laro on October 19, 2024, hosted by Datu Tim Hartman! This is one of your final chances to earn points for the Grand Championships and dive into a day packed with intense, heart-pounding competition.
The event takes place at The ROCK in West Seneca, a massive 25,000 sq. ft. athletic facility with everything you need. Feeling hungry? The concession stand has you covered with hot and cold food to keep your energy up. For parents or anyone looking for a little fun while waiting, why not check out the golf simulators? And if you’re worried about rushing to your next stop, take a breather! The ROCK has locker rooms with showers so you can freshen up, feel great, and head out looking sharp.
But it’s not just about the competition. We’ll have Kaiju Customs selling some cool gear, plus a few special guests to keep the day even more exciting. This tournament is just the beginning – it’s part of something bigger as we evolve into the Buffalo Martial Arts Expo, aka Martial Con. Bigger surprises are in store as we take this long-running event to the next level. Buffalo is becoming a hub for world-class martial arts, and we want you to be part of this incredible journey.

Don’t miss out on the action! Mark your calendar, gear up, and get ready to compete, have fun, and make unforgettable memories.
Register now:

Buffalo Niagara Laban Laro | MAT Action Please do not use this form to request support as it is not checked as often, please use the support button in the bottom right instead.

We’re excited to announce the next big tournament in the WNY Combat League Series – the Buffalo-Niagara Laban Laro on October 19, 2024, hosted by Datu Tim Hartman! This is your chance to earn points toward the Grand Championships and experience a day filled with intense competition.

The event will be held at The ROCK in West Seneca, a massive 25,000 sq. ft. premier athletic facility that’s fully equipped. Feeling hungry? No worries, the concession stand will be serving hot and cold food to keep you going. For parents or anyone looking to stay entertained, why not try out the golf simulators while you wait? And if you’re worried about rushing to your next stop, relax! The ROCK has locker rooms with showers, so you can freshen up, feel good, and head out looking sharp.

But this event is about more than just competition. We’ve got vendors, cool items for sale, and some special guests lined up to make the day even more exciting. This is just phase one of something bigger – the evolution into the Buffalo Martial Arts Expo aka Martial Con. Expect even more surprises as we take this long-running tournament to the next level. Buffalo is on its way to becoming a nexus for world-class martial arts, and we’d love for you to be part of this exciting new chapter.

Don’t miss out on this incredible tournament! Mark your calendars, get ready to compete, have fun, and make some amazing memories!
Register here: https://www.mataction.com/en/queencitylabanlaro