Four members of Andalusia Isshinryu Karate competed in the 2009 Gator Nationals held in Daytona Beach, Fla., on May 15 and 16. The Andalusia group of Dr. Rex Butler, Allen Butler, Rexanne Butler and Hogan Nichols competed against top competition from all over North America in the two-day event.

Students placed as follows:

Allen Butler — black belt youth divisions: eighth place, musical forms; fifth place, creative weapons; third place, fighting; seventh place, traditional forms; seventh place, creative forms; second place, self defense.

Hogan Nichols — brown belt youth divisions: second place, creative weapons; fifth place, musical weapons; fifth place, fighting; fourth place, traditional weapons; first place, creative forms.

Rexanne Butler — brown belt youth divisions: eighth place, musical forms; fifth place, creative weapons; sixth place, musical weapons; sixth place, traditional weapons; first place, creative forms; first place, self defense.

Rex Butler — senior brown belt men: second place, musical forms; first place, creative weapons; first place, musical weapons; second place, fighting; second place, traditional forms; first place, traditional weapons; first place, creative forms.

Andalusia Isshinryu will be hosting the South Alabama Karate Open Championships on Sat., June 6. The tournament will be held at the Andalusia Elementary School gymnasium. At present, competitors from an eight-state area are slated to participate.

Instruction in Okinawan Isshinryu Karate is available at the USA Gym and Fitness Center. Classes are taught by Mark Rudd.