Shade High School graduate Alex Beagle has traveled across oceans but never left his comfort zone, winning multiple championships at the traditional Tansdaw Federation British Invitational Championships.
Beagle, 22, was visiting Cardiff, the capital of Wales, England, for the first time.
Mr. Beagle, a student, competitor and instructor of Johnstown's Joe Goss Karate, made quite an impression by placing first in kata, weapons and sparring in the men's black belt division. He then won the Grand Champion in both form and weaponry.
“On the day of the tournament, we saw over 600 people, maybe up to 1,000 people participating,” Beagle said. “It's a really big tournament. I've never competed in a tournament this big before.”
Joe Goss Jr., who traveled to coach and support his long-time student, said the British Invitational Championship is Europe's largest tournament, with more than 1,000 players taking part.
“We have competitors from all over Europe, Canada and the United States,” Goss said. “I've had dozens of masters and grandmasters come up to me afterwards and tell me how amazed they were at what they saw (at the Beagle).”
The Welsh competition further extended Beagle's winning streak, which has seen him win six Grand Champion Karate titles in the past six months.
In November, he won the National Korean Karate Championship held at Seven Springs.
He competed in the Zahn Invitational on March 23 in Pittsburgh. Beagle then added a championship at the Tansudoh Karate University Invitational on April 6 at McKee's Rocks. He capped off the circuit by winning the title at the Delaware County Championship in Aston in April.
These successes set the stage for Wales.
“The flight was long, but I really enjoyed traveling abroad,” Beagle said. He will graduate this fall from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a major in history and a minor in business. “It was the longest flight of my life. When I landed, I saw a whole new world across the ocean. This is a really good experience. This is amazing. New landmarks, landscapes.”
Once the competition started, Beagle went home and went to work just as he did during training.
“I just went out there and did my best for the people in my department,” Beagle said. “Then I waited several hours to compete in the Grand Champion.
“My favorite part of the whole Grand Champion is when the Welsh presenter announces the winner of the championship. The way he said it was really great to me.”
Master John Trudgill made the announcement. He is the founder and chief instructor of the Traditional Tan Sue Daw Federation, headquartered in Wales.
“The way he said, 'Alex Beagle from America,' I just got emotional,” Beagle said. “I was really happy to hear that announcement. It's something I never thought I would hear in my life.”
Joe Goss Karate was a big part of Beagle's life long before his Welsh adventures. He teaches this sport to young athletes from the age of 6 to his 8 year old classes.
“He started working with us when he was 9 years old,” Goss said. “He has been training for 13 years. The week before we left for Wales he took his 4th grade black belt test.
“He trains every day school is in session,” Goss added, noting that Beagle makes the 45-minute drive from Indiana to train and then returns to college. “If I was open 24/7, he would be here practicing 24/7. He does strength training and martial arts training every day.”
What's next for Grand Champion?
“I'm going to keep training as hard as I can,” said Beagle, who graduated from Shade in 2020. “I want to help Master Joe Goss train the kids. We have a home tournament in Johnstown in June. We're going to be ready to compete.”
Mike Mastovich is a sports reporter and columnist for the Tribune-Democrat. Contact him at 814-532-5083. Follow him on Twitter @Masty81.
