Recently, N.J. U.S. National Martial Arts Elite Team Wright outkicked, outshouted, and outpunched their formidable opponents to take numerous 1^st places in the Black, Brown, Green and Novice Divisions. The Team was led by Head Trainer, Internationally Recognized Multi-Discipline Grand Master Austin Wright Sr. This Year was an International Karate Championship because competitors came from Holland, Canada, & Algeria to name a few countries. It was held at the Tropicana Casino & Resort in Atlantic City, N.J.

Competitors on Team Wright were very excited as they entered the venue, and performed remarkably well, making Grand Master, Bayonne, Jersey City and the rest of the U.W.A. Family very proud! We had new members and old members alike competing, all of whom really showed their Traditional Style and Techniques.

Grand Master Giacobbe presented Grand Master Wright with a Samurai Sword during his appreciation ceremony as one of the Tang Soo Do U.S. International Representatives. Grand Master Wright has supported the Karate Nationals “Fight for Cancer” for (3) Decades. The rules were “No Hand pads and No Footgear”.

National Champions are as follows:

• Angel Rodriguez took 1^st (6 Years Old) Orange Belt Placed 1^st in Kumite (Sparring) and 3^rd in Kata
• Samir O’Neill took 1^st in Kata (Forms) and1^st Kumite (Sparring) (Green belt 8-10 Year Old Division).
• Jayleah Thorpe took 3^rd in Women’s Black Belt Sparring**
• Justin Gomez took 3^rd in the 15-17 Year Old Black Belt Division**
• Kenny Jackson (17 Years Old) took 1^st in Kumite (Sparring) Black Belt (17-35 Year Olds). Great Job, and still undefeated in the Black Belt Division!
• York Watson took 1^st in the 14 Years Old Black Belt Division Kumite (Sparring)
• Lilia Lupianez took 3rd in Kumite (Sparring), Brown Belt Division.
• Joaquin Oliver took 1^st Brown Belt (14-16 Year Olds).
• Tony Harvin (Green Belt) took 1^st in Green, 3^rd in Brown Kumite (Sparring)

** Both Jayleah Thorpe and Justin Gomez competed against almost 30 competitors in Kumite (Sparring), and both showed great confidence under Direct Supervision of Head Trainer and Grand Master Instructor Austin Wright Sr. and U.W.A. Martial Arts Black Belt Certified Instructors.

The Main Headquarters of the Universal Warrior Mixed Martial Arts Academy is located at 250 Broadway in Bayonne. We can be reached at 201-437-1820 or at our Jersey City Academy (1683 Kennedy Boulevard) at 201-360-0951. You can also visit us online at www .uwa-martialarts.com