Steele students earn national honors, black belts
A year’s worth of hard work paid off for several local karate students recently, as they were awarded national champion status.
Gary Steele Karate Studio students Kristy Pugh, Aaron Thomas and Roy Tucker all were recognized at The Champions’ Table, after earning points throughout the 2002 season toward their national awards.
Pugh was crowned a regional champion in the young ladies’ division, as well as being named fighting points champion for 2002.
Thomas took home second place in the young men’s black belt fighting division, while Tucker, another regional champion, was third in the adult fighting division.
Taking home awards at the tournament which accompanied the Louisville awards ceremony were Joshua Davenport, who earned first place in fighting, and Doug Thomas, who was second in the fighting division.
GSKS also announced the promotion of eight of its students to black belt status.
After a rigorous exam — covering mental and physical discipline, self-defense technique and practical application — the following students were promoted to first-degree black belt: Dana Crosley, Stephanie Crosley, Michael Anderson, Justin Reed, Johnnie Reed, Kyle Shepherd, John Cosminsky and Kacie Goodson.
These first-degree promotions are certified by the U.S. Martial Arts Association in Washington D.C.