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The 43rd Annual Isshinryu Hall of Fame Banquet and Tournament was held at the Gatlinburg, Tennessee Convention Center on Friday, July 19, and Saturday, July 20.

The Isshinryu Hall of Fame (IHoF) was founded in 1979. Based in Tennessee, this international board represents Isshinryu practitioners from all branches of Isshinryu Karate. The Hall of Fame honors and recognizes outstanding Isshinryu practitioners from around the world for their contributions to the art, regardless of their associations or dojo memberships.

“We are very proud of this group and their strong effort representing Andalusia Isshinryu Karate and Covington County on an international stage in Tennessee,” Coach Mark Rudd said.

Each year, nominations are sent in worldwide for 18 different award categories and also to nominate outstanding black belts for induction into the Hall of Fame. Five finalists are selected in each category, and the finalists and winner in each category are recognized at the banquet on Friday night.

Andalusia student Johnathan Rudd was named 2024 Male Junior Competitor of the Year after an outstanding year of competition in 2023 and 2024. His tournament record included 14 first-place finishes and four Youth Grand Championships.

The IHOF tourney was held on Saturday, and top Isshinryu competitors from several different countries and all over the United States competed for the coveted gold on the always-tough day of competition.

AIK’s competitors did well against their competition.

Stetson Cook took first place in yellow belt kata and second in fighting. Johnathan Rudd placed second in brown belt weapons and third in kata. Lawrence Sargent placed second in yellow belt weapons, third in kata, and third in sparring. Alex Myrick competed strongly in men’s black belt weapons and kata but did not place. Henley Sargent, 4, and Cord Cook, 6, competed in the 7-and-under divisions but did not place. Rudd said they were fierce competitors and were the youngest and smallest in their group.

Classes in Okinawan Isshinryu Karate and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu are offered in Andalusia for all ages. New beginner classes are enrolling for the 2024-2025 year. For class information, call or text Mark Rudd at 334-488-3104.