Members of Andalusia Isshinryu Karate recently competed in the 2019 Isshinryu Hall of Fame Banquet and Tournament in Gatlinburg, Tenn.

“I was really proud of our group,” AIK sensei Mark Rudd said. “They competed really well against some of the best Isshinryu students in the world.”

Rudd said that the Isshinryu Hall of Fame Banquet and Tournament is the largest of its kind in the entire world.

“It brings the best Isshinryu competitors from all over the world,” Rudd said. “It’s a closed tournament, so everyone that competes in it are among the best in the world. It’s also the largest Isshinryu tournament in the world. Just at the banquet there were more than 500 people in attendance. This year’s event drew a record number of competitors from as far away as India, Okinawa, Canada and all over the United States.”

RESULTS

Nicholas Holley came home with a pair of first place finishes in yellow belt weapons and kata. He finished second in yellow belt fighting.

Dhilan Patel put up a strong showing in the blue belt division, but just missed placing.

Nathan Rooker picked up a pair of second place finishes in brown belt kata and fighting. He also finished in third place in brown belt weapons.

Landon Caldwell came in first place in black belt (12-and-under division) kumite. He had a pair of second place finishes in weapons and kata.

Dalton Spears earned a pair of fourth place finishes in black belt (15-17) weapons and kumite.

Spears was a finalist for Young Male Karate Ka of the Year.

Taj Patel came in with second places finishes in black belt kata and kumite. He also earned a first place finish in weapons.

T. Patel was also a finalist for Young Male Karate Ka Of the Year and Young Male Competitor of the Year.

Camille Holley had a pair of second place finishes in black belt (women’s 1-2 degree) in kata and kumite. She also had a third place finish in weapons.

Kila Thompson came home with a pair of first place finishes in black belt (women’s 1-2 degree) in kata and kumite. She finished in fourth place in weapons.

Thompson was a finalist for Female Competitor of the Year.