Worland locals take first at international martial arts competition

WORLAND - Two of Worland's own, Glen Haynes and Matt Soller, traveled to ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., to compete in the International Martial Arts Festival on Oct. 14-16. They returned home as champions winning medals in multiple events and representing their town and state proudly.

Both Haynes and Soller are students of martial arts teacher Don Haynes. The IMAF was broadcast on ESPN 2 and the two of them faced competitors from Puerto Rico, Guam, the Dominican Republic and Argentina, to name a few.

Glen Haynes, 12, placed third in form and weapons, second in points sparring and was world champion in continuous fighting, in the 10- to 14-year-old division. "He's an athlete; he did a good job. He's a master technician, well-rounded and while most kids his age are using one weapon he's going with two," said Don Haynes, who is also Glen's father.

Soller, 35, competed in the special needs division in two events, form and continuous fighting and taking first place in both. "Matt did well again, he won it in '04 and won at the USA international in Las Vegas two years ago," said Don Haynes.

To earn the trip to the IMAF, Glen Haynes and Soller did so by qualifying at the Western Wyoming Karate Championship in Green River in May.

"The competitors at (IMAF) are the elite, the best of the best," said Don Haynes. "You're fighting the best of the best and when I see them shine out there on the floor and they're happy and they say 'Look that I won.' That's when I see they're excited and I tell them no matter what system you're from or what school you're from, you're a winner when you walk into that ring. So when you can come home with that gold it's a bonus and you praise them up."

Next for world champions Glen Haynes and Soller will be the USA Winter Olympics Martial Arts in Las Vegas, Nevada, in January.