Tae Bo® Creator, Billy Blanks® Will Lead Attempt to Break World Kickboxing Record

TAMPA, Fla., Sept. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Autism Association (NAA) and fitness expert Billy Blanks® are putting out a call for people to gather in Tampa on October 1st, 2011 to be part of a history-making moment.  In a family-friendly event dubbed Autism Kick, participants will attempt to break the Guinness World Record™ for the largest kickboxing class ever assembled.  The current world record was set in Budapest, Hungary in 2009 where 2,336 participants kick-boxed for 11 minutes.  

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090918/NAALOGO)

The event will be held on Saturday, October 1st at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, home of the Tampa Yankees and New York Yankees Spring Training.  Along with being a part of history, participants will receive a commemorative Autism Kick T-shirt and sports water bottle.  Opportunities to have an official event photo taken with Billy Blanks® or to join him at the exclusive Steinbrenner Field DugOut Club Meet & Greet lunch and autograph signing are available for sign up to a limited number of people.  Those who cannot attend the Tampa event have the opportunity to participate online while raising autism awareness, funding and winning prizes.

"When I faced struggles growing up, I was lucky enough to get support. It is a privilege for me to return that favor and help bring awareness to autism and the thousands of families affected," stated Billy Blanks. "There is no better way than to break a Guinness World Record™. I know we can beat this together!"

NAA's hotel partner and event sponsor, TradeWinds Island Resorts on St. Pete Beach is offering a special rate of $99 per night to attendees who would like to stay on the beach and make a weekend of this special event.

Autism is a national health crisis that now affects 1 in 110 children in the U.S.  Proceeds from Autism Kick will benefit NAA's vital programs serving families affected by Autism.  "I've loved looking through Guinness World Records™ books since I was a kid," said NAA President, Wendy Fournier. "It's wonderful that even folks like me, with no kickboxing experience, can be part of this exciting attempt to make history and help families affected by Autism at the same time."

For full details, or to register for Autism Kick, please visit http://www.autismkick.com.  For media inquiries and event sponsorship opportunities, email Event Coordinator, Aimee Allenback at [email protected].

About Billy Blanks
Billy Blanks® is the creator of Tae Bo® fitness, the groundbreaking workout system widely credited as the foundation of all kick-boxing programs and arguably the top-selling workout program of all time. Blanks recently developed the ultimate Tae Bo® workout, PT24/7, the first workout to incorporate both cardio and strength training, using specially designed resistance bands.

Blanks is an eighth-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and holds black belts in five other forms of martial arts.  He was a five-time Amateur Athletic Union Champion, seven-time World Karate champion, the 1982 Massachusetts Golden Gloves champion in the light-heavyweight class, Tri-State Golden Gloves Champion of Champions, winner of over 30 gold medals in various international competitions and captain of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Karate team. In 1982, Blanks was inducted into the Karate Hall of Fame.

About NAA
The mission of the National Autism Association is to respond to the most urgent needs of the autism community, providing real help and hope so that all affected can reach their full potential.  Since 2003, NAA has created and implemented direct-assistance programs for the growing number of families affected by autism.  Along with these services, NAA provides autism research funding, ongoing advocacy, support and education.  A parent-led non-profit organization, our objectives and resources focus upon strengthening families affected by autism through support in obtaining therapy and medical services, and funding impactful research aimed at real progress for our children and all individuals affected by autism.  www.nationalautism.org

Contacts:
Melissa Sun (Stan Rosenfield & Assoc.) 310-407-3441
Wendy Fournier (NAA) 401-835-5828

SOURCE National Autism Association