Students from Andalusia’s Isshinryu Karate class chopped their way to 13 first place awards from the USYKA Traditional Karate tournament in Bessemer recently.

The students competed in their categories, age and belt ranks during the competition.

The categories were weapons, forms and fighting.

Andalusia students placed as follows:

• Alex Myrick — first place, brown belt weapons; third place, brown belt kata; and first place, brown belt fighting.

• Allen Butler — second place, black belt weapons and black belt kata; and third place, black belt youth fighting.

• Marie Josey — fourth place, brown belt weapons; and first place, brown belt kata and brown belt fighting.

• Reese Burkhardt — second place, brown belt weapons; and first place, brown belt kata and brown belt fighting.

• Cheyenne Dugger — third place, brown belt weapons; fourth place, brown belt kata; and second place, brown belt fighting.

• Rex Butler — first place, brown belt weapons; second place, brown belt kata; and third place, brown belt fighting.

• Paulk Smith — fourth place, yellow belt kata; and second place, yellow belt fighting.

• Colin Marcum — second place, brown belt weapons and brown belt kata; and first place, brown belt fighting.

• Garrett Blackston — third place, yellow belt kata; and first place, yellow belt fighting.

• Caleb Blackston — first place, yellow belt kata and yellow belt fighting.

• Kenny Blackston — second place, brown belt weapons; and first place, brown belt kata and brown belt fighting.

Instruction in Okinawan Isshinryu Karate is available at the USA Gym and Fitness Center. Classes are taught by Mark Rudd.