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Andalusia Isshinryu Karate enjoyed a successful showing when it hosted the 2023 South Alabama Karate Open at the Straughn High School Gymnasium on Saturday, June 10.

AIK team members competed in up to three events: weapons, kata, and fighting.

“We had a great turnout with 130 competitors representing 21 different schools of karate from a five-state area. There was some outstanding competition, and the bleachers were packed with spectators. I would like to give special thanks to all black belts and instructors who judged all day as well as scorekeepers and timekeepers. We appreciate all the parents who supported the event and every person who came and made this year’s SAKO another memorable one,” Tournament Director Mark Rudd said.

This year’s black belt grand champions are as follows:

• Youth kata/weapons: Jace Himes of Keichu do in Enterprise, Alabama
• Adult kata/weapons: Jacob Jones of Taekwondo in Jonesboro, Louisiana
• Women’s fighting: Jamie Smith of Eaves Karate in Fayette, Alabama
• Men’s fighting: Tony Williams of Isshinryu in Lebanon, Tennessee

Andalusia Isshinryu Karate results are as follows:

• Allen Butler: second place-weapons; first place-kata
• Andrew Correro: third place-weapons; fourth place-kata
• James Doulin: second place-fighting
• Taj Patel: third place-weapons; third place-kata
• Nathan Rooker: fourth place-weapons; second place-kata
• Donald Rudd: first place-kata
• Dhilan Patel: first place-weapons; third place-kata; fourth place-fighting
• Jason Rooker: second place-kata; first place-fighting
• Braydon Walker: first place-weapons; second place-kata; first place-fighting
• Brianna Walker: third place-weapons; second place-kata; first place-fighting
• Zeke Landreneau: fourth place-weapons; second place-kata; fourth place-fighting
• Stetson Cook: first place-weapons; first place-kata; first place-fighting
• Gus Jordan: second place-fighting
• Lawrence Sargent: fourth place-fighting; third place-fighting
• Gates Tillman: fourth place-fighting
• Sofia Landreneau: second place-weapons; second place-kata; second place-fighting
• Mason Morman: fourth place-fighting
• Ander Parkinson: second place-kata; first place-fighting
• Eli Rudd: third place-kata
• Landry Anderson: third place-fighting
• CR Grant: second place-kata; first place-fighting
• Jemari Marshall: second place-kata: second place-fighting
• Lacey Rudd: first place-kata; second place-fighting

The next South Alabama Karate Open is scheduled to take place during the second weekend of June in 2024.

For more information about Andalusia Isshinryu Karate’s programs and the South Alabama Karate Open, call Rudd at 334-488-3104.