Andalusia Isshinryu Karate members came on strong and picked up several top finishes in the 2018 IIKA Grand National Championships and Banquet in Manchester, Tenn.

The tournament was hosted by the International Isshinryu Karate Association and all its member schools met to compete at Nationals.

Andalusia had seven team members compete in the tournament.

Landon Caldwell came home with the Youth Kata Grand Championship. Caldwell also won first place in kata and weapons and second place in kumite.

Nathan Rooker picked up a first place finish in intermediate and third place in fighting.

Johnathan Rudd came in first place in 7-8 year-old yellow belt fighting.

Taj Patel used a strong performance to pick up a first place finish in black belt weapons, a second place finish in kata and a fourth place finish in fighting.

Dhilan Patel had a solid day as he came away with a third place finish in 7-8 year-old yellow belt fighting and fourth place finish kata.

Ashton Bailey had second place finish in 12-and-under weapons and a fourth place finish in fighting.

Kinsley Bailey had a nice day with a pair of second place finishes in 6-and-under yellow belt fighting and kata.

“This is a hard working group of students,” Andalusia Isshinryu Karate instructor Mark Rudd said. “They had a great day against some very strong competition.”

The night after the tournament, many Andalusia Isshrinryu members and the dojo were honored at the banquet.

The Andalusia dojo was named 2018 IIKA Dojo of the Year.

Taj Patel was named 2018 IIKA Male Competitor of the Year. Taj was also recognized as the 2017-18 Point Champion in weapons, kata, kumite and youth Kata Grand Champion.

Kila Owens was named 2018 IIKA Women’s Karate-ka of the Year. Owens was also recognized as the 2017-18 Point Champion in weapons, kata, kumite, Kata Grand Champion and Kumite Grand Champion.

Dalton Spears was a finalist for 13-15 year-old Karate-Ka of the Year.

Dhilan Patel was a finalist for 7-and-8 year-old Karate-Ka of the Year.

Johnathan Rudd was a finalist for 6-and-under Karate-Ka of the Year.