Published: May 07, 2008 04:29 pm            

Karate students earn 86 trophies at spring event

OAK HILL — Community spirit has paved the road to success for a local Karate Dojo which opened its doors for the first time less than two years ago with just a handful of students.

A total of 42 students from Heiandjin-Li Karate Dojo in Oak Hill attended the fourth annual 2008 Spring Showdown Open Martial Arts Championship, held at Oak Hill High School on Saturday, April 26. The tournament, sanctioned by the United Martial Arts Tournament Alliance (UMATA), attracted martial artists from all over the state and surrounding region.

With a record number of students in attendance, the school brought home a total of 86 trophies from the Saturday event. Senseis Rick Pyatt, Jim Grubb and Stanley Blanks would like to thank the community for the outpouring of support which made the event possible. The school would also like to express its appreciation to Sensei Jim Washington for his help during the tournament.

The students brought home 35 first-place trophies, 23 second-place trophies and 16 third-place trophies. Ten students from the school were awarded participation trophies. The school also boasts two Grand Champions from the competition: Noah Pyatt, who was awarded the Grand Champion belt for the 8- to 11-year-old division, and Elijah Pyatt, who won the Grand Champion belt in the 12- to 17-year-old division.

Jason Wilcox, UMATA tournament director, awarded Rick Pyatt a plaque for most supportive instructor during the opening ceremonies.

The following is a list of participants:

Beginners — Ben Howington, 1st flag sparring; River Terry, 1st kata, 3rd sparring; Zane Hindson, participation; Alex Wright, participation; Trevor Smith, 3rd Ju-jitsu, participation; Gerrid Caldwell, 2nd flag sparring; Arin Dorsey, participation; William Moats, 2nd kata; Jacob Smith, 1st Ju-jitsu, 2nd sparring; Jesse Kincaid, participation; Leairra Avery, 2nd sparring; Caelea Teel, 1st sparring; Shady Taylor, participation; Perry Smithson, participation; Cole Allen, 2nd kata, 2nd sparring, 3rd Ju-jitsu; Colton Elkins, 3rd sparring, 2nd Ju-jitsu; Hannah Jiles, 1st weapons, 1st kata, 1st sparring; Ronda Redden, 1st Ju-jitsu, 2nd kata, 2nd sparring; Jordan Hart, 1st kata, 1st weapons, 3rd team kata; Adam Dominguez, 2nd Ju-jitsu, 2nd sparring, 3rd kata; Avery Davis, 3rd sparring; Daz Martin, participation; Dustin Teel, participation; Greg Caldwell, 1st sparring; Becky Nuckles, 3rd sparring, 3rd kata; Mariah Pyatt, 1st sparring, 2nd kata; Kelly Lyke, 1st kata, 1st sparring, 1st weapons, 2nd Ju-jitsu; Jason Grant, 3rd sparring; Angela Pyatt, 1st team kata, 1st sparring, 1st kata; Abbigail Greenwood, 1st team kata, 1st kata; Amber Davis, 1st sparring, 3rd kata; Sarah Dorsey, 3rd sparring; and John Dorsey, 2nd Ju-jitsu.

Intermediate — Jessica Greenwood, 2nd kata, 1st sparring; Taylor Ward, 1st kata, 1st weapons, participation; Noah Pyatt, 1st sparring, 1st kata, 1st weapons, 1st Ju-jitsu, Grand Champion; Cassidy Greenwood, 3rd kata, 1st sparring; Adrian Surbaugh, 2nd Ju-jitsu, 1st kata, 1st weapons, 2nd team kata, 3rd sparring; Samuel Lyke, 1st sparring, 3rd team kata, 2nd Ju-Jitsu; McCayla Greenwood, 3rd kata, 2nd sparring; Elijah Pyatt, 1st sparring, 1st weapons, 2nd kata, Grand Champion; Jason Bowles, 1st kata, 2nd sparring, 2nd weapons, 2nd team kata.

Heaindjin-Li Karate Dojo thanked the following individuals and businesses for their support: Iron Pigs, Hamilton, Burgess, Young & Pollard, Prudence Auto Sales, Donna Cottle of Creative Crafts & Supplies, Frank Hindson Insurance Co., Shannon Davis and Leah Taylor Hindson, Kevin Burgess, Patsy Terry of Gethsemane Memorial Garden, Advance Auto Parts, Mike and Lisa Howington; all parents and students of the school who held fundraising events for the tournament; and everyone in the community who attended these events.

Sensei Pyatt said that he is especially proud of his new students. “Some of the kids recently joined the school; it was their first time at a tournament and they all did a great job,” he said. “It was a positive experience for all of the students; every tournament helps them gain confidence to help them succeed as martial artists, as students, and as individuals.”

You can visit the Heiandjin-Li Karate School at the Healthy Lifestyles Show at the Crossroads Mall on May 10 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. There will be martial arts demonstrations, and representatives of the school will be on hand to answer questions. Contact Rick Pyatt at 222-1509, or visit the school’s Web site at www.oakhillkarate.com for more.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.