Saturday August 15th 2009
The Gilbert Shotokan Karate Academy took part in Team Soulfire Challenge. This tournament consisted of several events that were extreme to say the least. Breaking, Musical Kata, Sword Fighting, and Self-Defense. Along with the traditional events of Kata, Sparring, Weapons Kata and Team Kata.
6 GSKA Members took part in the event they were: Sensei Gehrig Justice, Sensei Jeremy Sloan, Ryan Justice, Desiree Matney, Brittany Duty and Chris Addair. Total the GSKA brought home 12 medals 9 of them being Gold, 1 Silver and 2 Bronze. Along with that total, Both Brittany Duty and Chris Addair were finalist for the Female and Male Under Black Belt Grand Championship.
Team Kata – Brittany Duty and Chris Addair took first place in the beginner under black belt all ages group.
Kata – Brittany Duty took first place in the 18-35 female under black belt beginner. Chris Addair took first place in the 18-35 male under black belt beginner. While Ryan Justice took first the male 18-35 intermediate male under black belt division as well. Desiree Mateny also took first place in kata in the female 16-17 year diviosn. Sensei Sloan took 2nd in the Men’s Black Belt and Sensei Justice took 3rd in Men’s Black Belt kata.
Sparring – Brittany Duty, Chris Addair and Ryan Justice also doubled in their respective divisions by taking 1st place in sparring. Desiree Matney finished 3rd in her division in Sparring.
Both Sensei Sloan and Justice were asked to judge several events but they did not have to score any GSKA members.
