TEAM SWAT COMPETES 2 CC

TEAM SWAT COMPETES – On Saturday, Dec. 2, two students from Van Dyk’s Karate representing the SWAT Karate Competition Team traveled to Grain Valley to compete in the annual Winter Kick Out Karate Tournament.

This tournament is a ProAm Circuit event and sanctioned by the North American Sport Karate Association – Mid-West Region. As with every one of Master Mark Long’s tournaments there were many competitors showing off their martial arts skills as they were competing for some awesome awards. Team SWAT was well represented at the tournament. Siblings Hannah and Daniel Smith from Osceola who train in El Dorado Springs with World Champion Renshi Riaan Van Dyk represented themselves, their team and their community very well.

Daniel competed in the Youth 6-7 Novice Division. Daniel placed 3rd in Open Hand Forms (Kata) and placed 3rd in Point Sparring (Kumite).

Hannah competed in the Youth 8-9 Novice Division. Hannah performed a well practiced and near perfect Open Hand Form (Kata) to earn her a very well deserved 1st Place Trophy. Hannah brought the fight to her opponents in her Point Sparring Division and won a 2nd place award. It was a close and very good finals match where Hannah just got edged out for the win.

Congratulations to all of the days competitors and a big thank you goes out to Master Long, his wife Mary and his team at Long’s Shotokan Karate – Independence for hosting another great tournament. 

Seated in front from left to right is Hannah Smith and Daniel Smith.

Master Mark Long in back.