Members of Andalusia Isshinryu Karate competed in the Gulf Coast Martial Arts Championships held in Crestview, Fla., on May 14. The event was hosted by Gordon’s Martial Arts in Crestview.

This tournament was the third of a three tournament series where some of the Andalusia group were competing for this year’s Gulf Coast Champion titles in their age and belt categories.

Competitors competed in weapons, forms, and fighting divisions for their age and belt rank.

Andalusia students made a dominant showing, with a total of eleven first place finishes and brought home seven of the Gulf Coast Champion Series titles.

Konnor Owens placed first in brown belt weapons and brown belt fighting, and placed third in brown belt kata. Konner Owens was also the Gulf Coast Champion in Youth Brown Belt Fighting.

Dr. Keith Tankersley was picked up first place finishes in brown belt fighting and kata, and third in brown belt weapons. Dr. Tankersley was the Gulf Coast Champion in Adult Brown Belt Fighting and Adult Brown Belt Forms.

Landon Caldwell continued his strong hear with a pair of first place finishes in brown belt kata and fighting, and finished in second place in brown belt weapons. Caldwell earned Gulf Coast Champion in Youth Brown Belt Fighting and Youth Brown Belt Forms.

Kila Owens finished first in brown belt kata, second in brown belt fighting and third in brown belt weapons. Kila Owens was also named Gulf Coast Champion in Youth Brown Belt Forms.

Rexanne Bulter grabbed a first place finish in black belt youth weapons

Taj Patel finished in second place in the black belt kata and third place finishes in black belt weapons and fighting.

Allen Butler earned the spot as Gulf Coast Champion in the Youth Black Belt Fighting.

Mark Rudd notched three first place finishes in adult black belt weapons, Black Belt Masters Kata and Black Belt Masters Fighting.

Andalusia Isshinryu Karate will host the South Alabama Karate Open Tournament at Straughn High School on June 11. Competitors from a six-state area are slated to attend.

For more information on Isshinryu Karate or the South Alabama Open, call 334-488-3104, or go to www.andalusiaisshinryu.com.