Emmerson Meyeran and instructor Ryan Koopman
Warrior Training Academy KENPO KARATE students had a successful day of competition Sunday, Aug. 30, at the Twin Cities Rumble in Blaine, Minnesota.
Several Warrior Training Academy students stepped onto the competition floor for the first time, while others challenged themselves by competing in new events. The students represented their academy with hard work, determination and good sportsmanship, bringing home several top finishes.
Orange belt Lalo Cornejo competed in a new event at this tournament, entering the White, Yellow and Orange Belt Forms Division. Cornejo put his training to work and came away with first place.
For white belt Malik Wright and yellow belt Maria Jimenez, the tournament was a first-ever experience. Both students competed in sparring.
Wright fought his way to a third-place finish. He narrowly missed advancing to compete for first place after losing his match in sudden death. For his first tournament, Wright showed tremendous determination and gained valuable competition experience.
Jimenez also had an impressive first tournament, earning second place in her sparring division, white, yellow, orange sparring.
Yellow belt Emmerson Meyeraan arrived at the tournament with a goal in mind. Before competition began, Meyeraan said, “I am going to get 1st this time!” She did exactly that.
Competing in the White, Yellow and Orange Belt Sparring Division, Meyeraan captured first place, finishing her tournament with a decisive 10-2 victory in the final match.
Orange belt Ariel Jacobs added another championship for Warrior Training Academy, taking first place in her sparring division.
In forms competition, purple belt Ellie Hart competed in the Purple and Blue Belt Division and finished in a tie for first place.
Orange belt Skylyr Riley also brought home a championship, winning first place in his division. Riley had an especially quick victory during the tournament, winning one of his matches in just 36 seconds with a seven-point spread.
While medals and trophies are certainly something to celebrate, the tournament was about more than just the final standings. For the students competing for the first time, it was an opportunity to face the challenge of competition and put their training to the test. For the returning students, it was another chance to grow, improve and represent Warrior Training Academy KENPO KARATE.
The instructors Jen Tiesler and Ryan Koopman and families of Warrior Training Academy are proud of every student who competed at the Twin Cities Rumble. Their willingness to step onto the competition floor, challenge themselves and continue learning is an accomplishment in itself.
