Nine members of Andalusia Isshinryu Karate competed in the 2003 USYKA Albertville Open, held in Albertville on Oct. 11. This year's event attracted competitors from several different styles of karate and taekwondo. This was the last tournament of the year for the USYKA Competition Circuit, and competitors from a five state area competed. Andalusia competitors placed in 19 divisions, including 8 first place finishes.

Several Andalusia competitors have ended the 2003 competition year ranked in the top five of their respective divisions on the USYKA circuit. Chandler Jones, Joshua Godwin, Jamey Doulin and Bradley Benton have unofficially clenched first-place rankings for the year, and will be awarded the titles of USYKA National Karate Champions if their rankings hold after official results are tabulated.

Results of the local competitors are as follows:

€ Jamey Doulin: 1st place 9-10 yr. Advanced fighting; 4th place 10-13 yr. Advanced kata; and 1st place 11& under Advanced weapons;

€ Evan Soles: 2nd place 10-13yr. Advanced kata; and 2nd place 11&under Advanced weapons;

€ Gene Bass: 1st place 12-14yr. Advanced weapons; and 1st place 10-13 yr. Advanced kata;

€ Thomas Rudd: 2nd place 15-17 yr. Advanced fighting.

€ Josh Godwin: 2nd place 12-14yr.Advanced weapons; and 4th place 11-12yr. advanced fighting;

€ Bradley Benton: 1st place 11&under Beginning weapons; and 3rd place 9&10yr. Advanced fighting;

€ Chandler Jones: 1st place 6& under Beginning fighting; 2nd place 6 & under kata; and 3rd place 11& under beginning weapons;

€ Edward Bass: 2nd place Executive Men's kata(below black belt); and 2nd place Executive Men's fighting(below black belt)

€ Mark Rudd: 2nd place Men's Senior black belt kata; 1st place Men's Senior black belt weapons; 1st place Men's Senior black belt fighting; and Grand Champion – Men's black belt fighting.

Black Belt Fighting Grand Champion is determined by bracketing the winners of all men's black belt divisions against each other to determine an overall winner.

Final rankings for 2003 will be tabulated and posted in the next few weeks on the USYKA website at www.yoshukai.com.

Classes in Isshinryu Karate and self-defense are taught locally at the USA Gym and Fitness Center, and at the Andalusia Adult Activity Center by Mark Rudd. For class information call 222-8261.