We had 24 competitors. (26 registered but 2 could not compete)
We took 40 trophies total !
9 - 1st    12 - 2nd    13 - 3rd    6 - Participation

Almost 350 competitors came from 13 states and Venezuela. The states were New York, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Florida, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Texas, Utah, Nevada, California, Arizona and Colorado participated in the tournament

We had 6 adults and 20 kids, and sponsored 7 kids from refugee families (6 boys and 1 girl). We had the biggest out-of-state group of competitors.

Results:

1. Carys Winter 3rd kata
2. Gabriel Chodos 3rd Kata
3. Aeddan Winter 1st kata 1st kumite
4. Saya Zeleznik 3rd kata 3rd kumite
5. Max Connor 2nd kumite
6. Malachi Barela (participation medal)
7. Ben Vo-Duc 3rd kata
8. Soumaine Mahammat (participation medal)
9. Angel Moreno 3rd kata
10. Moises Garcia (participation medal)
11. Matilda Nexhip 1st kata, 3rd kumite
12. Irma Garcia (participation medal)
13. Pearl Mensah-Coker (Sunshine) 2nd kata, 2nd kumite
14. Aristide Reunodji 3rd kata, 3rd kumite
15. Harvey Nexhip 3rd kata, 1st kumite
16. Arnod Nidjigoto 1st kata 2nd kumite
17. Abraham Wali 2nd kata 1st kumite
18. Alassane Niang (participation medal)
19. Nairobi Nidjigoto 1st kata, 1st kumite
20. Ali Mahammat 2nd kata 2nd kumite
21. Jennifer Niang (participation medal)
22. Kristin Zimmerman 2nd kumite 3rd kata
23. Loren Connor 3rd kata
24. Leon Chodos 1st kata 3rd kumite
25. Zimmerman & Connor Family 2nd kata

Some Highlights

Two of our adult competitors could not compete (George who didn't go because he got sick before the tournament and Jim who had to leave the tournament to catch his return flight). I felt really bad for both because I knew they prepared well for the event and were looking forward to competing. Refugee families: Our 7 sponsored competitors took 13 trophies

• 1st place: 4
• 2nd place: 6
• 3rd place: 2
• participation: 1

Montessori Kids

4 Montessori students (Aeddan Winter, Max Connor, Saya Zeleznik, and Ben Vo-Duc) participated in the tournament and won a total of 6 trophies: Aeddan 2 first places Kata and Kumite, Max a second place Kumite, Saya 2 third places Kata and Kumite, and Ben a third place Kata.

New Competitors

Gabriel Chodos had a superb performance and took 3rd place in Kata. After training for just a few weeks, malachi Barela showed a lot of potential during his first karate tournament ever. I am sure he will continue to improve as we train for future competitions.

Leon Chodos with his 1st place kata and 3rd place kumite must have surprised many, but not me because I have witnessed his progress during our prep.

As I have always said it, what students gain in preparing for a competition is more important than any trophies or medals they may win. Everybody was a winner because everybody tried hard and improved while preparing for the event.

Congratulations!!

Many thanks to Rio Tinto and the parent committee for their sponsorship money. Also a big thank to Kristin, Loren , and John Barela for volunteering to drive the team. They went far beyond volunteering to pay gas and food for the trip. Finally, thanks to Sue Nexhip and Susan Winter for funding and organizing a barbecue as well as providing supplies for Sunday breakfast. Thanks to Sara and Loren for paying 2 night accommodation fees in two rooms, and Jim for paying one night accommodation fees in one room. Finally, a big thank to all parents who supported this event by either sending their kids and/or signing up themselves to compete.