Andalusia karate students grab top finishes
Published 12:00 am Tuesday, July 17, 2018
Andalusia Isshinryu Karate members picked up top finishes recently at the IIKA Middle Tennesse Isshinryu Open Karate Games in Watertown, Tenn.
The event was hosted by the Masters Tony Williams and Sandra Strong and the Lebanon Isshinryu Dojo of Lebanon, Tenn.
Taj Patel picked up the biggest prize of the weekend when he earned the Youth Black Belt Grand Championship.
T. Patel was able to edge out fellow Andalusia Isshinryu teammate Datlon Spears for the Grand Championship.
This was the third year in a row that T. Patel won the Grand Championship.
T. Patel picked up a pair of first place finishes in black belt weapons and kata and second place in black belt fighting.
Spears finished first in black belt weapons, second place in kata and third place in fighting.
Jacob Jernigan grabbed a pair of first place finishes in brown belt weapons and kata. He finished second in black belt fighting.
Jarod Jernigan finished second place in brown belt kata, third place in weapons and fourth place in fighting.
Megan Jernigan finished fourth place in yellow belt kata.
Nathan Rooker finished second place in intermediate belt kata.
Johnathan Rudd finished first in yellow belt kata and fourth place in fighting.
Dhilan Patel also put on a strong showing for Andalusia Isshinryu Karate.
Next up the AIK team is the Isshinryu Hall of Fame Tournament in Gaitlinburg on July 21.
The IHOF is the largest closed Isshinryu tournament in the world and attracts competitors from all over the world.