Firehawk Karate Championships

by Renshi Riaan Van Dyk

Students representing El Dorado Springs Karate Club travelled to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and competed in the 1st Annual Firehawk Open Karate Championships. These competitors represented not just themselves and their Club but also their community. We are so very proud of them. Their continued dedication and hard work is delivering great benefits in the way of tournament awards, but more important is that they are showing great and positive growth in their personal lives because of their hard work and dedication. These students live our Club Moto: Working to be Better today than we were the day before.

The 1st Annual Firehawk Karate Championships was a great success and every division was packed with competitors from all over the Midwest. Thank you to Anthony & Jennifer Allman for hosting a great event.

Addison Taylor is the Novice member of our Team VDK Elite and competed in the 10-11 Youth Novice Division.  Addison placed 1st in the Traditional Weapons/Kubudo Division, 1st in the Open Hand Kata/Forms Division and 1st in Girls Sparring. Addison went on to compete in the 17 & Under Novice Forms Grand-Champion Division and place 2nd just short of the win competing in her very first Grand-Champion Championship.

Jacey Swopes is the Intermediate Competitor for Team VDK Elite. Jacey competed in the 8-9 Youth Intermediate Division. Jacey placed 1st in Traditional Weapons/Kubudo Division and 1st in Open Hand Forms/Kata Division. Jacey did not compete in any sparring divisions but did compete in the 17 & Under Youth Intermediate Grand-Champion Division where she place 2nd.

Hunter Malensek the Advanced and Senior Member of Team VDK Elite also competed at the tournament. Hunter competed in the 12-13 Youth Advanced Division. Hunter placed 3rd in Traditional Weapons/Kubudo Division, 3rd in Open Hand Forms/Kata Division and 3rd in Point Sparring.

FIERCE COMPETITOS – From left: Jacey Swopes, Addison Taylor and Hunter Malensek. Instructor/Coach Riaan Van Dyk in back.