KMC Martial Artists clean up at tournament

***image1***Students from Ramstein’s Youth Programs Karate Tech Mixed Martial Arts, Tae-Kwon-do and Loveless Academy of Karate and Kobudo made the two-hour drive to Patch Barracks in Stuttgart to participate in the 1st Annual European Military World Championship Qualifier Tournament May 17 and 18.

The tournament had nearly 130 participants from as far away as Vicenza, Italy. Contestants competed in events such as traditional forms, creative forms, musical forms, point sparring and continuous sparring.
Winners in each category qualified to participate in the World Championships Aug. 16 and 17 at Castlebar, Ireland.

***image2*** Last year the World Championship tournament featured more than 600 martial artists from eight different countries. This year’s event is expected to host teams from up to 30 countries.

Even though the three KMC teams were among the smallest teams represeted at the Qualifier Tournament, all individuals qualified for at least one event in Ireland.
Participating in a World Championship Tournament is a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity and these young individuals showed that dedication and hard work pays off.