Karate students rack up awards

Twelve local martial arts students have been promoted into the prestigious rank of black belt at Gary Steele Karate Studio.

After completing requirements and a strenuous review of fundamentals, forms, conditioning and hand-to-hand combat, the following students have been promoted to first-degree black belt: Joseph Coates, Winston McCormick, Kirsten Forsythe, Summer Forsythe, Morgan Thaxton and Kayla Hillis.

Promoted to second-degree black belt were Shawn Green, Pascual Esparza and Amy Lawrence.

Earning third-degree black belt were Kacie Goodson and Bonnie Gutierrez, while Becky Byars received her fourth-degree black belt, becoming the highest-ranked female student ever at GSKS.

These black belt promotions are certified by the U.S. Martial Arts Association in Washington, D.C.

Also, three young karate fighters from Gary Steele Karate Studio pitted their skills against world-class fighters recently in the Bluegrass World Tournament in Louisville, Ky.

Black belt Shawn Green placed second in team fighting and third in individual fighting.

Black belt Josh Powers placed second in team fighting, while Sean Harper took second in team fighting, second in forms and third in individual fighting.

The Bluegrass Martial Arts Tournament features fighters from all styles throughout the world.