Local athletes win martial arts titles

A group of local martial arts students participated in the Alaska State Karate Championships earlier this month.

Sensai Taylor of Tanaka's Martial Arts Academy led a group of eight students to the championships.

Emma Andrews, Shea Riggs, Victoria Bishop, Jennifer Malone, Rachael Caires, Danielle Pempeck, Caleb Pempeck and Nathan Pempeck each participated in the event.

Each of the future martial arts masters placed in the championships.

Andrews led the group with four first place finishes in the green to brown belt class of the 10-11 age bracket. Andrews scored first place trophies in the kata, kumite, team kata and weapons events.

Andrews won the team kata event with Riggs and Bishop.

Malone, Caires and Danielle Pempeck also took first place in the team kata, for the under green belt class of the 10-11 age group.

Both Bishop and Caleb Pempeck also won the individual kata of their respective age groups.

Resutls:

Emma Andrews: green to brown belt age 10 to 11- 1st place: kata; 1st place: kumite (fighting); 1st place team kata - green to brown; 1st place weapons (bo)( all levels under black); Shea Riggs: green to brown belt age 10 to 11- 2nd place kata; 1st place team kata - green to brown; Victoria Bishop: age 10 to 11 under green- 1st place kata; 1st place team kata - green to brown; Jennifer Malone: age 10 to 11 under green- 2nd place kata; 1st place team kata - under green; Rachael Caires: age 10 to 11 under green; 3rd place kata; 1st place team kata - under green; Danielle Pempeck : age 10 to 11 under green; 1st place team - under green; 4th place kata; Caleb Pempeck age 8 to 9 under green; 1st place kata ; Nathan Pempeck - age 6 to 7 under green; 2nd place kata