Grubbs earns black belt, opens new karate school

Photo provided

McMinnville School of Karate director/instructor Michael competed in the River City Open Karate Championships in Decatur, Ala., on Saturday, July 15. Grubbs won another ?triple crown? victory consisting of first-place finishes in weapons, forms and fighting. The wins made a total of eight ?triple crowns? won by Grubbs in the past two years of competition.

Grubbs tested for his first-degree black belt on June 8, with the test given by third-degree black belt Richard Bennett, pictured presenting Grubbs with his belt at right, second-degree black belt Josh Davenport, shown at left, and first-degree black belt Mike Argo, who was unavailable for the photo. He was certified as a first-degree black belt by the United States Martial Arts Association, and also received his certification as an instructor and rank examiner by the USMA on June 30.

Grubbs recently opened the McMinnville School of Karate, which is located at 101A Mullican St., behind Ace Hardware. The school held its grand opening Wednesday, and can be contacted at 474-2777.