AIK celebrates 24th anniversary of South Alabama Karate Open – Andalusia Star News

Andalusia Isshinryu Karate-Do held its 24th annual South Alabama Karate Open on Saturday, June 8th at Strauchon High School Gymnasium.

Competitors from 21 different martial arts schools came together to compete for the gold medal, with dojos from Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, Louisiana and Georgia bringing together outstanding talent across a variety of martial arts styles.

“We'd like to extend a special thank you to all the competitors, instructors and spectators who made this year's SAKO another fantastic event. We'd also like to extend a special thank you to the local businesses and sponsors who supported the tournament by advertising in the tournament program, giving visitors a glimpse into the great quality of life in Andalusia and Covington County,” said SAKO Director Mark Ladd.

After the smoke cleared, this year's five Grand Champions were decided. They are:

• Youth Grand Prize – Lennon Chandler, Kei Tae Do, Enterprise, Alabama
• Youth Black Belt Grand – Hudson Percy, Yoshukai, Gulf Shores, Alabama
• Adult Black Belt Kata Grand – Jace Heims, Keichu-Do, Enterprise, Alabama
• Women's Black Belt Fighting Grounds – Laura Neff, Isshinryu Karate, Dayton, Tennessee
• Men's Black Belt Fighting Grounds – Tony Williams Isshinryu Karate, Lebanon, Tennessee

Local Andalusian Isshinryu Karate athletes also won prizes in each category. The results are as follows:

• James Doolin – Men’s Black Belt – 3rd Place Weapons, 2nd Place Kata, 2nd Place Martial Arts
• Dylan Patel – Purple Belt – 3rd Place Weapons, 1st Place Kata
• Francesco Pagano – Beginner – Beginner in Weapons and Forms
• Lacey Ladd – Yellow Belt – 2nd Place Weapons, 1st Place Kata, 1st Place Martial Arts
• Code Cook – Beginner – Beginner in both kata and martial arts
• Harrington Felts – Novice – Martial Arts 2nd Place
• Henry Sargent – ​​Novice – Martial Arts 3rd Place
• Calvin Sasser – Beginner – 2nd place in Kata, 1st place in Martial Arts
• Stetson Cook – Yellow Belt – 1st Place Weapons, 2nd Place Kata
• Lawrence Sargent – ​​Yellow Belt – 1st in Weapons, 2nd in Kata, 1st in Combat
• Jonathan Ladd – Brown Belt – 2nd Place in Weapons and Kata
• Luna Rains – Beginner – Kata 3rd Place
• Mason Maddox – Beginner – 3rd place in Kata, 1st place in Martial Arts
• CR Grant – Blue Belt – 3rd Place Kata, 3rd Place Martial Arts
• Brianna Walker – Brown Belt – 3rd Place Kata Division
• Nicholas Sanders – Yellow Belt – Kata 3rd Place
• Eli Ladd – Beginner – Kata 3rd Place
• Drew Marcotte – Yellow Belt – 1st in Kata, 3rd in Martial Arts
• Michael Bowman – Novice – Martial Arts 2nd Place
• EJ Mims – Novice – Martial Arts 4th Place

For more information about the South Alabama Karate Open or teaching Isshinryu Karate or Jiu Jitsu, please call or text Mark Ladd at 334-488-3104.