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Locals win state in martial arts

Final state rankings were recently released by the American Taekwondo Association, confirming four students/instructors at Peachtree City Karate for Kids have achieved state champion in their respective belt rank and age classification.

They are:

• State Champion Triple Crown (Forms, Sparring and Weapons) - Eddrick High, 4th Degree Black Belt.

• State Champions (Weapons) — Deondrey Gardner, 3rd Degree Black Belt; Justin Sims, 1st Degree Black Belt; Devyn Stewart, Recommended Black Belt.

Other Students with State rankings:

• Marcus Womack, 2nd Degree Black Belt, second in forms, weapons and sparring.

• Tommy Doolittle, 1st Degree Black Belt second in forms and weapons and third in sparring.

• Lillian Hawkins, Recommended Black, third in forms and weapons, second in sparring.

• Chase Donaldson, Blue Belt, fourth in forms, weapons and sparring.

• Will Kemp, Purple Belt, second in forms and weapons and third in sparring .

“I am very proud of all my students and instructors who participated in the numerous ATA sponsored Karate tournaments across the nation during the 2003-04 season,” said PTC Karate for Kids Owner Eddrick High. “These kids have worked many hours learning and perfecting their belt form, weapons training, and sparring techniques.”

With tens of thousands of ATA members across the state of Georgia, achieving a state ranking, much less, the level of state champion is quite an accomplishment.”

This is the second year in a row the Peachtree City Karate school has had multiple state champions. Students as young as three years old are competing regularly in the tournament circuit. At most tournaments, students find themselves competing with the best of the best, from across the nation as individuals often travel seeking coveted tournament points that come with placing first, second, or third in various events.

“I went to tournaments throughout the South this year, from Florida, to Tennessee, to Louisiana,” said Devyn Stewart, a 10 year old Karate Kid who attends Braelinn Elementary. “It was great making friends with kids across the nation, and competing against the best.” Stewart’s title of Georgia State Champion in Weapons did not come easy. It came down to the last tournament in Tallahassee, Fla. where she was up against Florida’s top contenders. Requiring a minimum of second place to achieve her goal of state champ, she put on the performance of her life and vaulted to the top spot in Georgia. “My Mom and Dad screamed when I nailed it,” said Stewart “and I am proud to wear my state champ uniform and represent Peachtree City in my quest for two straight years.”

Stewart is already on her way, placing first, second, and third in the recent Atlanta ATA Regional Tournament held in mid-July. She also tests for her First Degree Black Belt in August.

Peachtree City Karate for Kids has been in operation since 2002, serves students three years old and up, maintains a student enrollment of 150+, and is home to nine students ranked at the State, National, or World level. The studio is focused on personal development of its students stressing the values of respect, discipline, courage, and integrity while also teaching goal-setting skills and instilling a positive work ethic.

Phone 770-631-2676 for more information.