New location, new chapter, new champions

By Renshi Van Dyk

Last month was a very busy month for everyone at Southwest Missouri Karate Association. At the beginning of October this Karate School relocated to their new location in Walker, Missouri. Local El Dorado Springs students have made the move as well and have started learning and training the art of karate as they are rebuilding their new school and making new memories. El Dorado Springs was good to us and we will never forget the towns support.

While based in El Dorado Springs, SWMKA had been involved in teaching Karate in the area for over 27 years and in that time reach many milestones, received many awards and won many tournaments, national, International and World Championship titles. In their new location they look forward to building onto their past successes and in producing Champions for Life.

This past weekend a couple of our SWMKA students competed in the Midwest Martial Arts Open hosted in Mount Vernon by Sensei Billy Willis.

Youngster and fierce new competitor Stephen Kish competed in the 7-9 Boys Novice Division and won two first place throphies. Stephen won a first place in Youth 6-9 Novice Traditional Weapons Division and one first place trophy in Boys 7-9 Novice Traditional Open-Hand Kata.

Senior student and assistant instructor Hunter Malensek also competed in this tournament and as a seventeen year old jumped up and competed against the adult black belt competitors and won a first place in Men 18-29 Black Belt Traditional Open Hand Forms and a first place in Black Belt Weapons Division. Hunter would later compete in the Black Belt Forms & Weapons Grand Championship runoff. After all scores were tabulated and results given, Hunter would win his first Adult Grand Champion trophy in the Adult Black Belt Division.

Congratulations to Stephen and Hunter for doing so well. Congratulations and thank you to Sensei Billy Willis for hosting a great tournament.